Hey, there!

My friends, family, and I are taking steps to end pancreatic cancer at PanCAN PurpleStride on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

As many of you know in late April/early May of 2019 my dad, David Fodge; a 40+ year resident of Coralville, and avid local business supporter, was diagnosed with stage IIB inoperable pancreatic cancer. He began long and grueling weekly chemo treatments, was in and out of the hospital for various tests, procedures, and innumerable painful complications due to the tumor. My usually very active father was too fatigued by the treatments to enjoy his usual daily activities, walking all over town, cycling the trails in Coralville and Iowa City, and lifting weights in his living room. After months of chemo he was granted a break before starting daily radiation. In mid June of 2020 he opted out of further treatment, as the tumor had spread during his course of radiation. Only 2 weeks later he chose in-home hospice care to avoid any more visits to the hospital, while remaining as comfortable as possible. On August 16th, 2020 my father passed away in his home, he was 68 years old.

​During his treatment, my father was eager to help further the research of his disease by offering his time. He went through an intense family history interview for genetics research, had additional blood work, biopsies and scans done, all with the hope it would help anyone else in the future with this disease.

Despite him being ill, and making countless trips to the hospital, these were some of the best times I spent with my dad, and I'm glad I got those 15 months with him during his treatment.

I want others to be able to have that time with their loved ones as well, and that can only happen if PanCAN research advances, and the disease can be caught in earlier stages. I want to make the biggest impact on the lives of pancreatic cancer patients – and I need your help to do that!

PanCAN PurpleStride is the number one way PanCAN raises money to fund vital research that can bring new treatment options to patients, and gives them free, personalized one-to-one support through PanCAN Patient Services.

Here’s where you come in! I’ve set an ambitious fundraising goal – because the more money I raise, the bigger impact we make – and would appreciate a gift of any size to help me get there. 

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely Grateful, 

Maggie Fodge

Team Captain