Dear Friends & Family,

It is with great sadness to say that my beautiful, wonderful, wife and best friend, Donelle, has passed from the complications of pancreatic cancer.  She was an inspiration to many and she will be truly missed, but her memory and spirit will live on in all who knew her.

First diagnosed on July 25, 2015, Donelle fought gallantly for over eight years, all the while maintaining a positive attitude that one day she would beat her disease.  Sadly, her body had grown weak and on February 1, 2024, surrounded by family and friends, Our Lord ended her struggle, taking her peacefully into His presence where she will live forever.

Donelle's biggest worry after being diagnosed was that she would never see her sons, Ryan and Kyle, get married and would never get the chance to hold her grandchildren.  Well, it is with great pleasure to say that over the last two years, due to her tenacity and strong will to live, she got to experience her dreams come true.  Both boys were married and on November 4, 2022 Donelle welcomed our first grandson, Noah Matthew, and on January 5, 2024 our newest identical twin grandsons, Callen Bradley and Aiden John.  Donelle was so filled with joy when she got to hold her grandsons, and it was very heartwarming to see her with them.

Well, another year is here for Purple Stride and another year closer to a cure.  When Donelle was diagnosed in 2015, the 5 year survival rate was only 6% and today it is over 12%. That is huge, and this success is due largely in part to the efforts of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan).  PanCan is a premier organization in the funding of pancreatic cancer research and an invaluable source for patients and caregivers in a variety of areas like genetic information, clinical trial matches, support groups and much more.  PanCan helped us so much throughout Donelle's eight year battle, that I don't know what we would have done without them.

The Purple Stride Walk is a fundraising event that was so near and dear to Donelle.  It was her way of giving back and playing a part in helping to find a cure.  I would be so grateful if you would join me in honoring Donelle's memory by donating to her "Purple Pride Warriors" team.  May her spirit live on in Purple Stride and serve as a light of inspiration and hope for all those still battling this terrible disease.

It has been a rough, yet wonderful 8 1/2 years.  God was so good to have blessed Donelle with all that time to see her dreams come true, and her and I were blessed to have each one of you along with us on her journey, providing your constant love, support and prayers.

Thank you so much!!!

With Love & Blessings Always,

Donelle and Keith