First, I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You for coming to my page!  Now, since you are here, I would love to give you the background story of how I got here and why I choose to support PanCan and the Pancreatic Cancer Community.

My journey with Pancreatic Cancer started the day my Dad was diagnosed in 2009.  Knowing nothing about the disease we were all unprepared for what the future held and the rollercoaster of emotions that came with it.  We ended up saying goodbye to my father for the last time on December 6, 2010 - Pancreatic Cancer won and ripped our hearts out.

Fast forward to June of 2018 when pancreatic cancer reared its ugly head again this time to my mother-in-law Kay Antongiovanni.  We again, were unprepared and did not think it was actually possible to happen twice in one family.  I clearly remember her saying to me as I walked into her hospital room that she was sorry - sorry because I would have to go through the same thing with her like I did with my Dad.  It truly broke my heart.  On March 19, 2019, my mother-in-law got her wings and pancreatic cancer seemed to have made it's mark on us in a big way for a second time.

You would think that would be enough for one family to endure but you would be wrong - I am not done yet - December 17, 2021 came around and to our dismay - I received the diagnosis that I had Pancreatic Cancer. Yep, Me, Kim Antongiovanni, I HAVE PANCREATIC CANCER.  

Let that sit there for a minute - I had the rug pulled from under me. It's something that I still can't explain, it didn't seem real or even possible. I had so many thoughts - my first thought was about my daughter Noelle - at the time she was a junior in high school and I could not even imagine leaving her in her pivotal years - Pancreatic Cancer already had the stigma within our family that the survival rate was dismal so naturally your mind goes to the terrible place.  

Telling my husband and seeing his whole demeanor look helpless because this is one thing he could not fix and it was heartbreaking.  I thought about who I was - a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister and a friend and I was not ready to loose any of that so - I was READY TO FIGHT!!!!

So fighting I did! In 2022 I was lucky enough to find some of the most amazing doctors and staff and proceeded to start treatment - 8 rounds of aggressive chemo (which royally sucks - just being honest), lost most of my hair and to this day have no feeling in my feet or the tips of my fingers. I was a candidate for the Whipple Surgery and then an additional 4 rounds of chemo.  I made it through 2022 and felt like I was able to finally wipe my brow.

Things were going good - there were good days and bad days but in March of 2024 I was not feeling too great and went in for one of my routine scans and to our surprise there was cancer back in the soft tissue in that same area.  So in May of 2024 I started treatment again with 5 rounds of radiation.

Today, I am grateful - I know my cancer and I say my cancer because it's mine and frankly do not wish it on anyone and it is a battle I will continue to fight until I have no fight left.  I say I am grateful because I am able to still wake up and see another day and still lay my head down and say I love you to my husband and daughter every night.  

And I FIGHT because I am not ready to give in - I am a Warrior and I wage HOPE for every single person that fights this battle along side me!  

That is WHY I am here and I want to make the biggest impact on the lives of pancreatic cancer patients – and I need you to do it!

I’m taking steps at the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer, PanCAN PurpleStride, on Saturday, April 26, 2025 and this year my family and I will be walking in Santa Monica!

PurpleStride participants raise money to fund vital research that can bring new treatment options to patients; free, personalized, one-to-one support through PanCAN Patient Services; and more.

Here’s where you come in! I’ve set an ambitious fundraising goal and need your donations! A gift of any size will help patients and families facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. And truly anything can help. 

Want to help in a bigger way? Join me by registering for PurpleStride! Join my team  K Crew and walk with us in Santa Monica on April 26th - everyone is invited! Register for free, raise $50 and you’ll receive an official PanCAN PurpleStride 2025 T-shirt!  
If you can’t join me in Santa Monica in April consider walking in an event in your area as there are 60 cities walking together to wage Hope!

Let’s show everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer that we’re fighting for them.

I’m grateful for your support!