Dorothy N. Robinson was affectionately known as Mama, Grammy, Sadie, Aunt Dorothy. She, like most moms would give anything for her children and grandchildren.  In July 2017, she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She was hopeful when the doctor suggested the whipple surgery. Unfortunately, although she went in for the surgery, it was too late because of the location of the cancer. During this time, our mother was also in the process of selling her condo because she was becoming weaker.  

• October, we helped our mother pack all of her belongings that included an expansive collection of elephants, and relocate her to Maryland.  She agreed to try chemotherapy for us. We went to the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center to begin chemo treatments. She received one treatment which made her very ill. 

• November, her first full month in Maryland and it was quite an adjustment without her friends and her church.  She was very active in her home church. Her friends were still calling her and keeping her up on the latest happenings in Richmond.

• Thanksgiving, the last meal and oh did she enjoy it! She got very ill after that and was diagnosed with an obstructive bile. Once again she had to have surgery which left her eating intravenously.  

• December, She decided she wasn’t going to get anymore chemo and because she refused anymore treatment, the doctors sent her home for hospice care. 

• Christmas, all of our family came to Maryland to celebrate and that was the last holiday we all were together.  All the siblings and grandchildren pitched in to take care of her, basically to wait on God to perform a miracle. 

• January 2018, a painful time because our mother was getting worse and by the 28th she passed away probably from starvation and cancer. 

Four years earlier we lost our father to  gallbladder cancer. He deteriorated quickly (two months) also and so we were again devastated by this terrible disease. 

Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all major cancers, at just 11%. This deadly disease has stolen our mother, but it can’t take away our determination. 

Our team has stepped up to Wage Hope at PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer.Will you help us rewrite the future of this disease by making a donation today or joining our team in the walk to end pancreatic cancer?

Every dollar that you donate ensures that the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network can continue working to create better outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients and their families. By donating to our team, you are supporting vital efforts to increase the survival rate to more than 11%.

Purple ribbons aren’t enough. Please join us in the fight today.