PanCAN Purple Stride Team Fundraising Page

In Honor of Robert “Bob” Allen

First, why are we Willys’ Warriors instead of Bob’s Warriors? Well, it is because Bob was an enthusiastic classic car owner who painstakingly restored a pile of rusted parts into his award-winning 1949 Willys Jeepster (pictured above). Over the years, Bob unselfishly and skillfully helped others learn to build, repair or restore their own cars, often through using their free labor to work on other classic vehicles of his own. Smart guy, right?

In addition to being an incredible, thoughtful and generous person, Bob was a warrior in his own right as he courageously fought Pancreatic Cancer for almost four years. Like many others, he had to advocate for himself in obtaining a diagnosis, choosing treatment options, and suffering the devastating side effects of many of those treatments. Although we lost Bob on January 7, 2024, he will continue his fight through each of us. He is the Inspiration for Willys’ Warriors!

Pancreatic Cancer is a devastating disease and is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths today. Unfortunately, the current 5-year survival rate for Pancreatic Cancer is only about 10-12%, and that is with a relatively EARLY diagnosis.

Sadly, most diagnoses are made once the cancer is well-advanced since symptoms are often vague. Early symptoms are often mis-diagnosed as other gastrointestinal or endocrine problems. Without early diagnosis, the cancer is left unmitigated until it has affected other organs and tissues. There are no disease- specific screening protocols nor cost-efficient diagnostic tools. Patients are left to demand an answer for their progressive symptoms when “routine” treatments have been exhausted.

Bob isn’t the only one who lost his fight to this horrible disease recently. Among the estimated 40,000 men and women each year, some well-known people whom also lost the fight include Jeopardy Host Alex Trebek, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Congressman John Lewis, Actor Patrick Swayze and Apple’s Steve Jobs to name just a few. If all the resources (and money) available to these well- known people didn’t save their lives, there is a definitive lack of advances in the early diagnosis and effective treatment for Pancreatic Cancer!

THAT is where PanCAN and

Team Willys’ Warriors come in!

We’re taking steps at the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer: PanCAN, PurpleStride, on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at DeAnza Cove in Mission Bay. San Diego. PurpleStride participants raise money to fund vital research that can bring new treatment options to patients; free, personalized, one-to-one support through PanCAN Patient Services; and more. We MUST find a way to more effectively diagnose and treat this horrible cancer early so that the “end game” is not certain death.

Here’s where you come in!

We’ve set an ambitious fundraising goal – because the more money we raise, the bigger impact we make – and we would be profoundly grateful for your donation. A gift of any size will help patients and families facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Please make a tax-deductible donation to our Team, or to any member of our team.

Want to help in a bigger way? We’d love for you to join our team! Just click the Register button at the top of this page to get started. Register for free, raise $50 and you’ll receive an official PanCAN PurpleStride 2024 T-shirt!

Let’s show everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer that we’re fighting for them – thank you for your support!