Welcome to PanCAN PurpleStride Team Fundraising Page!

In loving memory of Albert "Big Al" DeChristopher.

Albert Hatch DeChristopher Jr. (1958-2022)

Everyone called my dad “Big Al”, which was fitting since he always seemed larger than life. I wish you all could have known him like I did. He laughed loudly, loved intensely, and worked harder than anyone else in the room. He was at everything I did growing up- plays & volleyball games & talent shows. He let me drive for the first time in the middle of a Christmas tree farm  (we always sang “let it snow” after we picked the tree) & he loved the holiday more than anyone; we have a clock in our house that chimes a Christmas carol at the top of every hour, & his cards were always stuffed with glitter. 

My dad adored our dog Ginny- he would heat up a rice bag & lay out treats on the couch every morning so after her first walk of the day she could curl up nice & warm. That’s how he was with everyone- he took care of us quietly & completely, never asking for anything in return.

He loved the outdoors. He seemed most at peace in the mountains, hiking up Sharp Top in the Peaks of Otter or eating seafood on our yearly family trips to the beach at Nags Head (we called him our “cabana boy”). He loved food; he taught me to make his famous Thanksgiving gravy & how to open crab legs in two seconds flat. He made the best fried chicken you’ve ever had. When I think of my dad, I’ll think of long drives down the parkway in his truck, the smell of juicy fruit gum & pine trees. I’ll think of the family of squirrels & birds in our backyard that he fed little corn cobs & seeds throughout the year.

Getting a cancer diagnosis during COVID was a really rough thing for our entire family, but my dad fought with more positivity & strength than we could have ever asked for. Big Al was one of a kind, and is dearly missed. 

Our team wants to make the biggest impact on the lives of pancreatic cancer patients – and we need you to do it!

We’re taking steps at the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer, PanCAN PurpleStride, on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

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.

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 would be profoundly grateful for your donation. A gift of any size will help patients and families facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.  

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!