Dear Family and Friends,

Ten years ago Xan formed the YES WE XAN team and we attended our first PurpleStrides walk. Xan walked with his team every year including in 2019, shortly before his death. That September 2019 PurpleStrides walk was the last long walk of Xan’s life. Please join Xan’s family in honoring Xan’s legacy of strength, courage and commitment to finding better treatments by donating generously today in memory of Xan and in celebration of the YES WE XAN team’s commitment to keeping Xan’s legacy alive. 

Xan’s family misses him and grieves each and every day. Though 5 1/2 years have passed since Xan’s death, the hole in our hearts is ever present. When Xan was diagnosed in 2014, the overall 5-year survival rate was 5%, in 2023 it was 11%, and last year it was 13%. (Most patients, however, are diagnosed with late stage disease. For them, the 5-year survival rate is 3%.). The increase in overall survival rate is true evidence that the dollars you donate to PanCan fund research which is extending the lives of many patients.

 Despite the fact that pancreatic cancer diagnoses continue to rise, especially in people under 55, legislators in Washington do not share our concern about the critical need to fund pancreatic cancer research. The FY25 budget bill recently approved by the U.S. House and Senate cuts the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) through which the Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP) is funded by 57%.  These cuts are devastating- not only do they mean that new research will not begin but also that current research will be abandoned for lack of funding.  Simply put, the actions in Washington mean that many more of our family and friends will die.  Given the gutting of federally funded research, your donations to PanCan are more important than ever.  We, in the pancreatic cancer community, must raise our voices and ask for your help and support.

As many of you know, Xan took the last long physical walk of his life at the September 28, 2019 PDX PurpleStride walk. He was there because PanCan had given him hope and he wanted to give others hope. On that sunny Saturday, Xan spoke of the numerous craniotomies he had endured in the previous 6 months, he held his son’s hand tightly, and he spoke of hope. He found the strength and energy to speak at the event about the importance of raising both voices and dollars and walk the entire route. Xan spoke about the progress that had happened in the 5 years since his diagnosis and he spoke of how he benefitted from the Know Your Tumor program. He told the newly diagnosed that it is a long road and a hard road but it is "walkable. Don't ever give up hope."

However, pancreatic cancer survivors and their loved ones cannot have more hope if there is no money for research. Pancreatic cancer patients cannot have more hope if PanCan cannot offer its patient services. Please help us keep hope alive. Your dollars will give researchers and families support, resources and hope for more and better treatment options.

Please join the YES WE XAN team, walk with us virtually on April 26, 2025, and make a generous donation. Our 10 year anniversary YES WE XAN team goal is $15,000.

With deep gratitude,

Lucy (Xan’s mom)