On Saturday, April 27th, 2024, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is hosting the 2024 PurpleStride. This is a great event designed at increasing awareness of pancreatic cancer as well as raising money in support of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s mission to advance research, support patients, and create hope and encouragement for those who are fighting pancreatic cancer. I would like to invite you to join me at this year's virtual PurpleStride to provide support for fighting this disease.  Over the past 11 years, our team has raised almost $100,000!  That is fabulous!  We have an awesome team, and we have a lot of fun!!! We are looking to break our team record again this year!!!  This year's event will be held at Harriet Island in St. Paul.

I was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer on October 7, 2011. Fortunately for me, this rare form was far less aggressive than the adenocarcinoma that affects 95% of all pancreatic cancer patients and had not spread beyond my pancreas. On November 3rd, 2011, I had surgery to remove it and I am grateful to say I celebrated 12 years on being cancer free on November 3rd, 2024.  The most important message I can give you today is that if you do not feel well or even normal in any aspect of your health for any extended period of time, I urge you to see your physician. Do not be satisfied until you feel normal again!

Because of my experience, as well as witnessing the battles of many others with pancreatic cancer, I remain committed to fighting this disease and helping others. We need to Wage Hope! The key to helping others starts with knowledge which helps to create action. While pancreatic cancer has the lowest incidence rate among all of the common types of cancer, it is the deadliest with a five-year survival rate. Through the work of so many, we have helped moved the 5-year survival rate in 2011 from 5% to now 13% in 2024! This is by no means an acceptable level, but the improvement is impacting thousands of people's lives!  Thank you to all of our warriors who have helped make this happen! The mortality rate is high due to difficulty in diagnosing and treating it.

It is the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s mission to advance research in diagnostic and treatment of pancreatic cancer and I hope you will join me in supporting this cause. I'm raising money in support of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network by participating in PurpleStride.


Please make a donation today and help me to reach my fundraising goal!

http://support.pancan.org/site/TR?fr_id=1521&pg=personal&px=1126451  

Just click on Donate!

To join our team, simply click on the link below, and then click on “Join.”

http://support.pancan.org/site/TR/PurpleStride/PurpleStride?team_id=14283&pg=team&fr_id=1521

Thanks for your physical, mental, or monetary support and I hope you can join Team Make a Difference on September 15th!

Help Us Make a Difference!

John (Survivor!)

PS…. please check out my favorite “Make a Difference” story at http://www.starrbrite.com/starfish.html