My dad, Phil Holstein, was the most generous, philanthropic, caring, kind, funny, and loving person. He was an optimist and a fighter and he never once complained during his 19 month battle with stage four pancreatic cancer. In his first year of diagnosis, he did a 25-mile hike in Utah, skied both coasts, traveled abroad, and was still very active in his professional and volunteer/board involvements. While he didn't let pancreatic cancer impact his positive outlook on life, he was very concerned about the need for funding in order to change the future of this disease. When I told my dad that I would be participating in PurpleStride NYC as well as leading a Wage Hope My Way fundraiser (http://support.pancan.org/goto/cancercantakeahike), he was thrilled as the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) meant so much to him. He was part of the Survivor & Caregiver Network and openly welcomed calls and provided support to those recently diagnosed. He participated in PurpleStride NYC 2016 with me and rallied so much support around our team. He wore his purple with pride and told everyone he knew in the pancreatic cancer community about PanCAN. 

Sadly, pancreatic cancer has just an 13% five-year survival rate. In honor of my dad and all those who have been affected by this devastating diagnosis, please join Team Phil and help me to rewrite the future of this disease! Time is of the essence and the need for increased pancreatic cancer research funding is urgent. 

Purple ribbons aren’t enough. Please join me in the fight today!