Dear Friends and Family,

For 2022, I will be supporting a different segment of cancer in honor of my wonderful sister, Janice Kueppers.  As you can all attest to, I have never been at a loss for words.  Yet, somehow, writing this letter, I’m not quite sure what I’d like to convey.  After 22 years of running & fundraising for cancer research, this one brings so many emotions.  My sister and I are our last remaining family members, all taken from us and/or affected in some way by cancer.  In July, we had the rug pulled out from under us again when my sister was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that had spread to her lungs.  The only words in my vocabulary for the next several weeks were, “This just can’t be happening...it just can’t.”  In life, we are lucky to have family, but we are even luckier when that family turns out to be our best friends.  This is what I have in my beautiful sister...a best friend to laugh with, share family time with, talk about life with, make the best memories with, and share our hearts without limit.  

Therefore, this year, as my part in the fight against cancer, on April 30th, I will be walking with my sister and her team, Harmony Heals, in the NATIONAL PanCan PurpleStride Walk in Los Angeles to help raise funds for pancreatic cancer research and to help bring hope and assistance to those fighting this disease.  What I have come to learn over the last several months is that there is no screening for pancreatic cancer, and the 5-year survival rate is only 11%.  At the time of detection, it is typically stage 4 and has spread.  It is hard for me to fathom that in this day & age, with all the technology and advancements we have made, we still do not have screening, at the very least.  I am hoping the funds we, and PanCan, raise will help in the development of screening, and improved treatment, so that a higher survival rate may be achieved in the not-too-distant future.

    

Our team name, Harmony Heals, stems from the fact that my sister was a music teacher for decades and still also sings herself with the Sweet Adeline’s.  She has touched so many lives through her teachings and through her love for music.  In a week’s time, her students, chorus members, family & friends have all begun to sign up for her team.  We are a team of 27 so far!  It warms my heart to see everyone rallying around her and giving back to her what she has always given to others, unconditionally.  

I am asking you to help make April 30th amazing for her and for so many fighting this disease.  It does not get any more personal than this for me...my last surviving family member.  I am looking to TEAR THE HOUSE DOWN with our fundraising this year!!  I am looking to help others at a time when I truly feel so helpless.  I have set up a donation page at:  http://support.pancan.org/goto/gail  This link will take you directly to my page.  Checks will also be accepted.  They may be made payable to:  PanCan  and may be mailed to my home address:  80 Steeplechase Drive, Doylestown, PA 18901.

Thank you for your continued support and for continuing to help make a difference in the fight against cancer.  It is my hope that our children will never have to know this disease, in any of its forms, and that one day, we will all walk (or run) in celebration of having found a cure.  No Surrender, my friends, No Surrender!

With Love & Appreciation,

Gail Strohmeyer