Thank you for taking the time to find out more about pancreatic cancer and how it has affected my life.  My dad, Gene O. Johnson, passed away from pancreatic cancer at the young age of 60.  He had been diagnosed on my birthday and ended his battle just three months later.  It was a quick illness yes, but this disease took away his strength, nourishment, and his love to travel and see the world.  As I moved around from state to state, I continued to reach out and find a way to volunteer for PanCan and the PurpleStride run/walk for a cure.

Not long after his passing, I connected with a high school friend, Brad McGee, who had lost his mother to pancreatic cancer. We shared stories about our parents and their battles with this disease. Brad was also diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which he learned was from a genetic mutation he had received from his mom.  This continued my interest and dedication to volunteering for PurpleStride, but now it was in my dad's name and my friend's name. 

The disease struck again last year when a dear friend and colleague from school was also diagnosed and passed away within the year of diagnoses.  She put up a great fight and always saw the silver lining in each and every day up until the end.  I try my best to see the good in every day like she did. 

Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all major cancers, at just 9%. This deadly disease has stolen our best and our brightest, but it can’t take away our determination. 

I’ve stepped up to Wage Hope at PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer. Will you help me rewrite the future of this disease by making a donation today?

Every dollar that you give ensures that the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network can continue working to improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients and their families. By donating today, you are supporting vital efforts to double pancreatic cancer survival rates in the future. 

Purple ribbons aren’t enough. Please join me in the fight today.