Hi, as Team Captain of the Polk PurpleStriders, I have determined to "pay forward" the help I received from the PanCAN.org website in Oct-Nov 2022 as a newly diagnosed Stage III pancreatic cancer patient. After scrutinizing every portion of PanCAN.org's excellent website, I immediately transferred my medical care to UAB, where I spent the next year under the care of the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center in Birmingham, AL, with 10 rounds of chemotherapy followed by the Whipple surgery in May 2023, followed by more chemotherapy. I am now on 3-month medical assessments at UAB with CT scans and Signatera specialty blood tests watching out for any return of the cancer. So far, I'm clear, and I give thanks to God, my family and friends, UAB O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the support and mentoring I received from PanCAN.org via their website and wonderful volunteer team here in Birmingham, AL. Special thanks to Sue Clements, PanCAN.org volunteer, for mentoring me through that first year with unlimited encouragement and prayer.

Now I want to make the biggest impact on the lives of pancreatic cancer patients that I can – and I need you to do it!

I'll be taking steps at the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer, PanCAN PurpleStride, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Railroad Park in Birmingham.

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. I can personally attest to how wonderful an organization PanCAN.org is!

Here’s where you come in! 

I’ve set an ambitious fundraising goal – because the more money I raise, the bigger impact PanCAN.org can make – and I would be profoundly grateful for your donation by clicking the "Make a Donation" or "Donate to Kathy" buttons on this page. A gift of any size will help patients and families facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. They need help and HOPE.

Want to help in a bigger way? I’d love for you to join our team! Just click the Register button at the top of this page to get started. Register for free, raise $50 and you’ll receive an official PanCAN PurpleStride 2024 T-shirt!

Let’s show everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer that we’re all fighting for them – thank you for your support! It means SO MUCH to pancreatic cancer patients such as myself and to our families and friends as well. It gives us HOPE for our future like never before. God bless you for donating!