On July 29, 2004 I was told I had Pancreatic Cancer. At that time, only 6% of all Pancreatic Cancer patients survived for 5 years. On August 9, I underwent the Whipple procedure in a Tulsa hospital. I was in the hospital 23 days. In October I began chemo with radiation for 7 weeks; then after 3 weeks of rest underwent another 6 weeks of chemo. These last 18+ years have been some of the best years of my life. Having gone through this, it has changed me and given me a strong desire to help others. By increasing the survival rate, I am giving others a better chance to have this extended life that I have been able to enjoy. Today the survival rate has increased to 12%.  

I'm raising money in support of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network by participating in Purple Stride Oklahoma. I had Pancreatic Cancer in 2004 and am one of the blessed survivors of a disease that claims 88% within the first 5 years. My team name (Survived 19) is named for my nearly 19 years of survival.

I have participated in 11 of the 12 Purple Stride Oklahoma events, and have had a team in 8 of them starting with Survived 11 in 2015. All 8 of these teams have been in the top-10 in fundraising. In 2020, my team, Survived16 was the top team in fundraising in the state of Oklahoma. In 2021, my team (Survived 17) came in 2nd. In 2022, Survived 18 came in 3rd. I'd love keep this tradition going.

By making a donation to me, you are supporting efforts to increase the 5-year survival rate to 20% by 2030.

Please join my team and celebrate on April 29 or make a donation today and help me to reach my fundraising goal!