In November 2023, we said goodbye to my mom, Mindy Marcus, after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Mindy was a devoted wife, mother, sister, friend, and more, and her loss left our family devastated and lost. While words will never adequately describe how much we miss her, we have dedicated ourselves to helping Mindy's memory live on through determination, compassion, charity, and, most of all, love. In November 2024, Mindy's niece, Julia, competed in the New York City Marathon, raising money for The V Foundation for Cancer Research in the process. In just a handful of months, Julia successfully raised more than $6,200 for cancer research. Inspired by Julia's determination and the kindness and generosity of everyone who donated, many of whom did not even know Mindy personally, my dad and I decided to participate in this year's PanCAN PurpleStride, the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer, in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 26.
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’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 in Mindy's memory. A gift of any size will help patients and families facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Let’s show everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer that we’re fighting for them, so that one day we can live in a world where no one has to lose a loved one to pancreatic cancer. Thank you for your support!
Matt Holzapfel
Team Captain