Walking for Hope
Twelve years ago last week we got the news that my dad was in remission from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. That was the day we finally let out the breath we’d been holding for months. What a relief, and what an answer to prayers.
Non-Hodgkins was supposedly one of the “best” cancers you could get, even back then because of the treatments available. And thank God they worked!
Unfortunately, not all diagnosis’ are that fortunate, so I’m doing something to help change that.
That picture of my dad was during chemo for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and just before he lost his eyebrows and eyelashes. He was always smiling. Always. And he truly never complained.
Because I didn’t want to couldn’t just sit back during that time, I joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training, participated in two 1/2 marathons, and raised money for them not once, but twice, to help with research and funding. So many of you pitched in and donated and supported me during that endeavor, and I still appreciate it; in fact, between both fundraisers, we raised $6,700 total!
I’ll actually never forget my dad making sure—double and triple insisting that I send a thank-you note out pretty much the second a donation came in. He was so thankful.
The Coolest Part
Looking back, the coolest part is knowing that because of donations and fundraising, and because of YOU and your generosity, so many more are survivors today. I can only imagine how far technology and science has come since 2005 when he was first diagnosed. Not only that, but how many more people are around today, or got to live longer because of donations and funding?!
About Pancreatic Cancer
Obviously my dad’s outcome with pancreatic cancer wasn’t as lucky as his first bout with cancer. When I heard he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer—even without knowing a single thing about about pancreatic cancer—I knew it couldn’t be good. I knew we weren’t dealing with the “best” cancer here. In fact, it’s one of the worst…and that diagnosis looked pretty hopeless.
BUT, I truly believe one day the outlook for pancreatic cancer won’t be so dismal. Because you guys, it is SO dismal right now. Pancreatic cancer has surpassed breast cancer as one of the deadliest cancers out there. It only has a 9% survival rate. NINE. PERCENT.
Since PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer, started, the five-year survival has increased one percentage point every year over the past three years and is now at that 9%. Those three percentage points represent approximately 1,500 mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, sisters, brothers, colleagues and friends.
What does that actually mean?
That means that donations and fundraising are actually working. That means that your dollars are actually going towards something, and literally helping save lives.
That means that since 1999, donations from PurpleStride have boosted the National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding for pancreatic cancer by 500 percent. There has also been a 500 percent increase in the number of NCI-funded investigators studying pancreatic cancer since 1999. THAT IS HUGE!
Those statistics seriously floor me.
Purple ribbons don’t rewrite the future of this disease. You do.
Take action with us today at PurpleStride.
My dad’s experience with pancreatic cancer happened so fast that I couldn’t be an advocate for PanCan while he was alive, but I’m sure going to do my best, and give it my all now.
I’m raising money for early detection.
I’m raising money for research.
I’m raising money so you can have more time with your loved one.
I’m raising money for research.
I’m raising money so you can have more time with your loved one.
Please Help Wage Hope!
Please consider joining me in this cause. Donate money, be one of Johnny’s Walkers and walk with us, or even be a virtual strider and be there in spirit—you know I’ll be documenting this!
I am a firm believer in campaigning for a cause that touches you. That is why I am epilepsy warrior!
What an amazing thing you are doing! Cancer is something that so many people are effected by and I hope one day all the money and efforts can help make that number go down! Thanks for sharing! xxx
sounds like a wonderful initiative and inspiring thing to support. We need more people like you out there! keep it up!
What a great cause! Cancer stinks! Both of my inlaws have cancer right now and it’s so hard on the family. My father inlaw is trying a medication that is new and not yet covered by insurance. I love causes like this that help in the fight against cancer!
I love what you’re doing!! I remember feeling so helpless when my uncle was diagnosed but this is such a great way to inspire and help
Thank you for doing your part to help improve treatments and, hopefully, one day even find a cure.
what a great cause and youre so amazing to do something like this! Cancer is such a devastating thing and I’m glad we have people like you out there to inspire other people !