Welcome to my PanCAN PurpleStride Team Fundraising Page!
You found my page. Now, you're probably asking WHY is Amy spending her birthday weekend walking to raise money and awareness for pancreatic cancer?
In 2016 I found out that I have the BRCA2 gene mutation, meaning I have a 3 to 8-fold increased risk of getting pancreatic cancer (as well as other cancers). Though upsetting, it wasn’t surprising. I lost two great uncles, a great aunt, and my grandfather to pancreatic cancer.
Since learning about my increased risk, I have had an annual mix of MRIs, endoscopic ultrasounds, colonoscopies, and endoscopies. I’m only 33. The goal of these tests isn’t a cure. It is to hopefully catch it early enough that operating (the only “cure”) is possible, which isn’t the case for most people. The 5-year survival rate for most at detection is less than 10%.
Running has always been my physical and emotional medicine. When doctors told me I would never run again after a terrible accident 12 years ago, I wouldn’t give up until I completed my first (and then second) marathon. I found that making my miles matter for all of those who can’t is one of the best ways I can make sense of this unfair disease. I don’t want my family or myself to be part of this statistic, which is why I got involved in supporting PanCan.
Now, as I watch loved ones suffer because of pancreatic cancer, I’m asking my community to help. There is no cure. There is no test for early detection. There is no mercy when it comes to this disease. I’ll never stop fighting for the people I love, so please help me continue to make my miles matter by supporting PanCan.
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 2025 T-shirt!
Let’s show everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer that we’re fighting for them – thank you for your support!