Hey team members! I am so glad you are here on my team and I am looking forward to striding with you on April 25th! I can’t wait! Every little bit you donate or are able to fundraise helps us reach our team goal of $2,500 I know it’s lofty, but I also believe we can do it! 

This fundraising effort is very personal for me.  I was diagnosed with what they thought was Stage 1 pancreatic cancer in June 2023.  I am one of the VERY lucky ones.  It was found early.  Most often it is found too late.  But even though mine was found early, it wasn't found easily.  I underwent 6 months of symptoms, 3 repeat ERCP/EUS procedures with pancreatic and bile duct stents placed each time (and a 4th to remove the stent and take another biopsy), suffered multiple infections including sepsis, and was misdiagnosed with autoimmune pancreatitis and prescribed a horribly strong and long dose of steroids, before the cancerous lesion was finally found hiding in inflammation in my pancreas.  I then underwent 6 months of chemo, almost 2 months of daily radiation, and a whipple surgery to remove the lesion along with part of my pancreas, my gall bladder, part of my small intestine and 41 lymph nodes.  At the time of surgery, my lesion was Stage 2a. Fortunately, my surgeon obtained clear margins, all of my lymph nodes tested negative and there was absoluetly no evidence of spread.  Again, I was VERY lucky!  I have been monitored for over 2 years now and continue to be cancer FREE!!!! Once again, VERY, VERY lucky.

I am blessed and fortunate. Most people who are diagnosed with this beast of a disease are not. Over 67,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year and the vast majority of them will not survive.  The 5 year survival rate for pancreatic cancer has been stagnant the past 2 years at only 13%.  That simply is NOT acceptable.  We CAN do better. We MUST do better.  

This is MY "Why," why I participate in PurpleStride every year.  I would love for you to join me on Saturday, April 25, 2026, to take steps with other survivors like me, families, caregivers, friends, physicians and researchers at our biggest community event of the year. Every dollar you raise will help create a world where everyone affected by pancreatic cancer will thrive.

PanCAN PurpleStride is an inspirational day to celebrate survivors, honor those we lost and turn the nation purple! The energy is electric, and there's a real sense of hope and community. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together, making a difference one step at a time.

Check out the event village, grab a snack, tell us why you Stride by writing on the tribute wall, take pictures with your family and friends in the photo area, and be inspired during the opening ceremony before you set off on the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer.

Join more than 60,000 people nationwide to support and honor everyone affected by the disease. It’s a family-friendly day filled with fun, hope and the power of community. Join us by registering for free today!

Your participation and fundraising help those affected by pancreatic cancer in your area by:

• Offering free, personalized support and resources through PanCAN Patient Services.
• Providing molecular testing and personalized treatment recommendations at no cost through PanCAN's Know Your Tumor®.
• Supporting PanCAN’s research priorities of finding early detection methods and new treatments.
• Creating hope — because a five-year survival rate of 13% is just not acceptable.

A world where everyone affected by pancreatic cancer thrives starts with YOU! Your participation and fundraising keep PanCAN’s vital programs available so no one has to navigate this journey on their own.  Thanks again for your support. It means the world to me!