Jillian Rafferty

Jillian Rafferty

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Raised: $631

Goal: $2,000

Welcome to my PanCAN PurpleStride Personal Fundraising Page!


Thank you for supporting my PanCAN PurpleStride fundraiser!

As many of you know, I had my own close brush with pancreatic cancer two years ago. In late 2022, doctors inadvertently discovered a massive tumor in my pancreas. Six weeks later, surgeons removed two-thirds of my pancreas and a bunch of lymph nodes. The surgery led to follow-up procedures - and to a host of problems that arise when you're left with just a sliver of an important organ.

But I got extraordinarily lucky. My doctors caught and removed my tumor before it could become invasive pancreatic cancer. Though my life is different than it was before, I am fundamentally OK, and I have access to excellent monitoring and care that helps me stay well. I thank my lucky stars every day that I get what everyone deserves - but what we often take for granted: a future.

Pancreatic cancer is rarely caught before it's already spread. No matter when it's caught, it's nearly impossible to treat. Precious few people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive for a year post-diagnosis. Still fewer survive five years. Almost none ever get to say they are cancer free.

I'm raising money for pancreatic cancer research in the hopes that we can work on catching pancreatic cancer earlier, and on finding new and effective treatments for those diagnosed later in the progression of the disease. I hope you can help me give others the future I'm so grateful to have.

Want to help in a bigger way? Join me by registering for PurpleStride! If you're in the Raleigh-Durham area, you're welcome to join my team. If not, there are PurpleStride events all over the United States.

I’m grateful for your support!


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Jillian's Achievements

  • Connected
    to Facebook to
    Fundraise

  • Made a
    Personal
    Donation

  • Updated
    My Fundraising
    Page

  • Reached
    Fundraising
    Goal

  • I'm a
    PurpleStride
    Alum

  • Download & Open the PanCAN PurpleStride App

  • I've Received
    5+ Donations
    Toward my Goal

  • $50

    Raise $50 and Earn a T‑shirt

  • $100

    Raise $100

  • Raise $250

  • Raise $500

  • Raise $750

  • $1,000GRANDCLUB

    Raise $1,000 and Join the PanCAN PurpleStride Grand Club

About PanCAN PurpleStride

Local action. Nationwide impact. This is PanCAN PurpleStride, the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer.

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, at nearly 60 events across the country, pancreatic cancer survivors, families, caregivers, researchers and supporters will join together and walk to honor everyone affected by the disease.

PurpleStride is PanCAN's signature community celebration, raising money to fight pancreatic cancer on all fronts — through research, clinical initiatives, patient services, advocacy and nationwide volunteer support. Learn more.

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