I was a daddy’s girl. I was one of the lucky ones. He was the dad who interrupted his business trip to Japan to fly back for my gymnastics meets, or my sisters’ dance recitals and volley ball games. He inspired us with his creativity and art projects were a big part of my childhood (sand sculptures, silkscreens, throwing paint on canvas and just seeing how it flows)… He was also the lawyer – the David who took on Goliath and stopped the US Navy from bombing Culebra (and later Vieques). He demonstrated persistence and optimism and resourcefulness, and I credit him for those qualities which I see in myself. He spent quality time, individually, with each of his daughters – I still remember our hike where we found Julie’s Jump (after hearing from sister Laura about her outing with Dad and Laura’s Leap)! As an adult, after he retired, he joined one of my MBA classes to learn about “marketing and entertainment” as he was forming a new company using neural networks to analyze film scripts to determine box office potential. I remember brunches at the Charles during college, our week-long trips to Bethany Beach every summer, how proud he was of his daughters and grandkids…always…
 
And I remember the day we got his pancreatic cancer diagnosis (Aug 8, 2008). And the tears and fears and reality that we’d be losing him in 2-6 months. It’s that last piece…that’s the why… I ask for your support as I raise money for pancreatic cancer research… to help more families have more hope and more time with the people they love most. 

Since our first PurpleStride event in 2011, my twin sister Laura and I have collectively raised over $400,000 for the fight against pancreatic cancer.  And, we're not stopping now. Together we can make a difference!

Will you join us in this fight? 

THANK YOU!!

PS. Sharing this here… a poem I wrote in 2013, marking the 5 year anniversary of my dad's passing.  Another explanation of my “why…”

“Have you ever?” 

Have you ever received that phone call that punched you in the gut?
“They say I have two to six months to live,” he said.
I curled up in the little nook behind my desk, and I cried and I cried and I cried.

Have you ever heard your dad, the optimist of all optimists, lose just a little bit of his will to live?
“I’m in too much pain, and just want this to be over,” he said.
I tried to be strong, but I curled up in my bed, where I cried and I cried and I cried.

Have you ever realized that you would never have that father-daughter dance?
There are no words to be said.
I sit here as I write, and I cry and I cry and I cry, just like I did almost exactly 5 years ago today.

Have you ever received that other phone call that instilled the fear of god?
“He’s got days if not hours, you better hurry,” she said.
I sped down 95 at more than 95 mph, and I cried and I cried and I cried.

Have you ever begged someone who just hours earlier you willed to be at peace,
literally begged him to hold on just ten more minutes until your mom and sister could get there?
“Please god,” you whispered.
As you rocked back and forth telling your dad you loved him,
as you cried and you cried and you cried?

Have you ever witnessed a miracle as he held on?

Have you ever known it was a sign, with such certainty,
when that light reflected off the adjacent building’s wall,
in that strange way light sometimes reflects?
“Goodbye,” he was saying… “I love you.”
And you cried and you cried and cried

As you realized he’d always be there
in every unique ray of light, and in every rainbow
in your heart, and in your soul

If so, then maybe, just maybe, you understand

…

PPS. For my WG’04 and WG’03 friends who are making their way here… I will keep Jay Coblentz (WG’03) and those of you who knew him well in my thoughts. He lost his battle to pancreatic cancer 3/27/25. He was just 50 years old. And while I did not know him personally, I feel for all of you who knew him well and send my condolences and virtual hugs.

PPPS. This year I also walk in support of Brandy’s dad and Charissa’s friend’s husband, who are both currently battling pancreatic cancer. And in memory of Dawn’s friend, Stephanie’s stepdad, Bob’s stepdad, Hande’s uncle, Ernie who spoke at Purple Stride last year and was Libby’s former boss, and Laurie Samburg. Please let me know if there are others who I can keep in my thoughts as we lead up to and participate in Purple Stride 2025.