It was 11 years ago that God saw my father suffering and could not endure another day because a cure was not to be on that day, So he put his arms around my father on September 28, 2012, and said “come with me”. Pancreatic cancer was the battle that took my father, and consequently left so many of his family and friends with such emptiness. The saying goes that “time will heal”, but as I go through the healing process, the time without my father just keeps becoming more evident especially when holidays and special occasion come and go without him. My healing process continues and involves filling lots of emptiness with the great memories because my father touched many in his own special way.

You see, my father always looked forward and talked about family gatherings for special occasions and holidays, and cherished every moment and spoke so proudly about all of his families accomplishments. My daughter's HS graduation came and went and and thus more emptiness to fill because I know that her grandfather would be talking about the graduation a year before the event was supposed to arrive. His two youngest grandchildren will have to believe and know that their biggest and proudest fan will not physically be present to share the special graduation day, but he will be there somewhere in the crowd. My father did not get to meet his first great granddaughter who was the child of his very cherished grandson, and this year came another great granddaughter and his first great grandson. Payton, Ally and Lucas will not get the honor of ever knowing and enjoying the love that Grandpa Phil gave to all of us, the emptiness grows and we all just wish for these sweet babies to have known the man they would call Grandpa Phil.

It is these special moments that I am challenged to fill emptiness with great memories, and what motivates me to continue to help the fight against pancreatic cancer so other families do not have to endure another challenging day without a cure.

My hope is that one day every cancer patient will be a survivor.  Lets do something great in the honor of the ones we love and join together to beat cancer.

So come join or donate today in honor of my father Team Phillip and let’s help conquer pancreatic cancer.