Congratulations to PanCAN's First Marathon Team!
On February 13, 2005, a team of over 70 PanCAN supporters participated in the Freescale Marathon in Austin, TX.  Participants spent several months training and fundraising, and traveled as far as Juneau, AK and Clifton Falls, NY to take part in either walking or running the full (26.2 miles) or half (13.1 miles) marathon in Austin, TX. 

Fundraising Results
Driven by a strong passion to cure pancreatic cancer, Marathon Team members raised over $120,000!  PanCAN thanks our runners and walkers, and the hundreds of donors who supported them, for achieving this spectacular fundraising result.  Chris Cornelius of Chicago was our top fundraiser, bringing in over $14,000 in honor of his good friend Thom Pritz, a pancreatic cancer survivor.

The Marathon Experience
“Spunky” Sue Paepke, a Team Hope Coordinator from New York commented, “My first marathon attempt was such a rewarding experience.  I walked the half marathon proudly with my PanCAN singlet dedicated to my dad.  To think that 70 of us were traveling the same roads running and walking with hope in our hearts gave me such a feeling of community.  That’s what PanCAN means to me – a community of caring individuals bound together by our hopes and dreams.”

Gwen Hyman from Mission Viejo, CA also felt a strong sense of community with other runners. “I was so honored to be a part of the first PanCAN Marathon Team!  This race was in honor of my incredible mom, Marina, who passed away six short months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  In addition to completing my first marathon, I met new friends from all across the country with whom we share a bond and similar story.  I'm looking forward to racing and fundraising for this PanCAN Marathon every year!”

Kelli Belardi from Juneau, AK said, “I want to thank PanCAN for giving me this opportunity to do something worthwhile for such a wonderful organization.  The marathon was such a rewarding experience for me that I can't even put it in to words.  My inspiration was my husband Kirk.  He has endured so much such pain over the past year and has been an inspiration to me.  I was determined to make it for him (even with a fractured toe)!  The plan now is to continue to be a part of the PanCAN community and continue my fundraising and awareness efforts for years to come.  Thank you so much for this experience!”

See photos of the PanCAN Marathon Team.

Freescale Marathon Results and Reunion Gathering
Visit the Freescale Marathon website for additional information about the marathon, including photos searchable by bib number or last name.

A Special Thanks To…

Pancreatic Cancer Survivors in attendance for inspiring our athletes:

Jim Jones

Steve Rogers

John Shieflette

Gil Ward

Our Volunteer Coordinator, Laurie Berwald

Our dear “Virtual Trainer”, Robert Mills and his wife Euri