News and Stories About volunteer
I Demand Better: Krystal Fernandes
Editor’s note: Krystal Fernandes is a volunteer leader for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). She serves as the PurpleStride […]
READ MORE
I Demand Better: Todd Cohen
Editor’s note: Todd Cohen, a longtime volunteer leader for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), currently serves as the November […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Susie Lemieux
In sickness and in health. It was a vow Susie Lemieux and her husband, Peter, made on their wedding day. […]
READ MORE
Three Family Members with Cancer Fight for Each Other
Bruce and Linda Hill have experienced a lot of events most married couples typically do, except for one, coinciding cancer […]
READ MORE
A Daughter’s Passion to Fundraise for Lost Mother and Grandmother
Every supporter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) has a personal story about how they came to the organization. […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Jackson Carnaghi
Editor’s note: Our “It Starts with Someone” series chronicles all kinds of Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) supporters – volunteers, […]
READ MORE
How Purpose Fuels One PanCAN Leader’s Passion
Lori Stevens is the new Chief Development and Community Engagement Officer for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). But what […]
READ MORE
Survivor Gives Voice to His Experience with Tattoos
“Wage Hope is a sentiment that will never go out of style for me – which is good, because I […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Frank De Seno
Never underestimate the passion of a man who’s fed up. He’ll go to great lengths to fight back, tell the […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Annette Fetty-Santilli
There are some things Annette Fetty-Santilli, community advocate for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s (PanCAN) West Virginia Affiliate, does every […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Amy Osteryoung
Editor’s note: For each of us involved in the cause, it started with someone — the reason we were compelled to […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Anne Shimabukuro
Editor’s note: Ahead of PurpleStride Washington DC’s eighth anniversary on June 9, we are sharing an interview with one of […]
READ MORE
After the Loss of Their Mothers, One Family Mourned by “Doing”
After the loss of their mom, Mother’s Day went from being an anticipated yearly celebration to one that sisters Jackie […]
READ MORE
Kansas City Company Creates First-in-the-Nation PurpleStride Flagship Team
This May, Lindsey McDonald will slip on a purple T-shirt, lace up a pair of tennis shoes and hit the […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Kristen Alvarez
Editor’s note: For each of us involved in the cause, it started with someone — the reason we were compelled […]
READ MORE
Why I Give Back: 3 Volunteers Explain What Fuels Their Passion
While the volunteers who donate their time and expertise to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) put their passion into practice in […]
READ MORE
Survivors Take a Leap of Faith to Celebrate Life
This past weekend, five Southern California pancreatic cancer survivors – Belinda Barnes, Susie Lemieux, Lupe Romero, Roberta Luna and Tom […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: The Skelton Family
Editor’s note: For each of us involved in the cause, it started with someone — the reason we were compelled […]
READ MORE
Volunteer Appreciation Month: You’re an Important Piece of our PanCAN Team
When it comes to putting together a jigsaw puzzle, the compilation of pieces forms the big picture. Each piece must […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Brenda Young
Editor’s note: For each of us involved in the cause, it started with someone – the reason we were compelled […]
READ MORE
2017 Year in Review: PurpleStride Goes the Extra Mile
Editor’s note: Our “Year in Review” series recapping the year’s top stories in pancreatic cancer research, national news, volunteer contributions […]
READ MORE
An Unexpected Discovery Leads a Mom to Fulfill a Promise
It was the most difficult conversation a mother could have with a child. Barb Larson’s adult son, Jim Natysin, was […]
READ MORE
Denver Volunteers Work Hotline with 9NEWS
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s (PanCAN) Denver Affiliate partnered with 9NEWS for its Buddy Check9 segment dedicated to pancreatic cancer. […]
READ MORE
Behind the Lens: 5 Questions for a PurpleStride Photographer
Editor’s note: When photographer Alex Harris was asked to take pictures at PurpleStride Maryland, he agreed, knowing little about the […]
READ MORE
Survivors and Celebrities Step Up at PurpleStride Nationwide
A sea of purple blanketed the country once again as thousands gathered for PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer, […]
READ MORE
Chicago Skyline Goes Purple for the Cause
Throughout November, there are many ways that supporters across the country are raising the profile for pancreatic cancer to Demand […]
READ MORE
Supporters Demand Better at PurpleStride Across the U.S.
It’s Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and the focus this year is to “Demand Better. For Patients. For Survival.” One of […]
READ MORE
I Demand Better to Give Patients a Fighting Chance
Editor’s note: It’s Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and our focus is “Demand Better. For Patients. For Survival.” Each week, we’re […]
READ MORE
Matt Wilson: I Demand Better for the 91 Percent
Editor’s note: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month kicked off a few weeks early this year and continues through November. Our focus […]
READ MORE
I Demand Better for My Wife, a 15-Year Survivor
Editor’s note: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month kicked off a few weeks early this year and continues through November. Our focus […]
READ MORE
Teona Ducre: I Demand Better for the More than 53,000
Editor’s note: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month kicks off a few weeks early this year and continues through November. Our focus […]
READ MORE
PurpleStride Funds the Cause from Coast to Coast
PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer, surged from coast to coast the weekend of Oct. 7 as more than […]
READ MORE
Ohio Cities Raise the Bar for PurpleStride
Cincinnati and Columbus turned purple on the weekend of Sept. 30-Oct. 1 as both cities hosted PurpleStride, the walk to […]
READ MORE
‘Purple People’ Take Spotlight in Iowa, Portland and St. Louis
Nearly 5,000 ‘purple people’ took the spotlight over the Sept. 23-24 weekend at PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer. […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Stephanie Santilli
Stephanie Santilli is in eighth grade, and for most of her young life, she has been an advocate for more […]
READ MORE
#AndrewStrides the United States – Part VIII
Note: This is the eighth installment in a 10-part series following Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) volunteer Andrew Miller as […]
READ MORE
A Record-Breaking 68 Pancreatic Cancer Survivors Attend PurpleRideStride Minnesota
The Twin Cities turned purple this Saturday for PurpleRideStride Minnesota, the road to end pancreatic cancer. A record-breaking 68 pancreatic […]
READ MORE
Nebraska Volunteers and Researcher Praise New Cancer Center
The Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, a revolutionary cancer care facility in Nebraska, welcomed the PanCAN Omaha Affiliate recently […]
READ MORE
Thousands Celebrate PurpleStride in Charlotte, Pittsburgh and Boise
More than 4,000 people turned purple on Saturday, Sept. 9, as they took to the streets in Boise, Charlotte and […]
READ MORE
All Eyes on Washington, D.C., as Congress Returns to Reach Agreement Before Looming Deadlines
When Congress returned to Washington, D.C., last week after their August recess, there was no shortage of issues they needed […]
READ MORE
National Grandparents Day: Remembering “Pépère”
In honor of National Grandparents Day today, take a look at this video of 10-year-old Logan Wood, who explains why […]
READ MORE
#AndrewStrides the United States – Part VII
Note: This is the seventh installment in a 10-part series following Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) volunteer Andrew Miller as […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Hailey Holt
Like many kids across the country, Hailey Holt started back to school this week. At 6 years old, she was […]
READ MORE
What Does It Mean to Raise Awareness? Watch This Video!
Volunteer leader Nick Textor, who lives in Austin, knows a thing or two about the ease of raising awareness for […]
READ MORE
Volunteering Brings Sisters Even Closer After Dad’s Death
Two sisters, two states, two affiliates: Aimee Sherman and Michele Wood don’t let geography get in the way of their […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone, Channing Der and Marisa Jung
It’s not every day that you get to hear from a Pancreatic Cancer Action Network research grantee and a Pancreatic […]
READ MORE
PurpleStride Omaha Team Rallies for Patti
My mom, Patti Swoboda, an otherwise healthy 54-year old woman, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just before Christmas in 2012. When […]
READ MORE
Pasadena Students Raise Funds for PanCAN
Every year, Mayfield Junior School in Pasadena, Calif., showcases its students’ philanthropic efforts at the annual “Reach Out Assembly,” where […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Jennifer Baker
Editor’s note: National Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day is June 18-19 in Washington, D.C., and registration is now open. Today we’re […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Yohannes Gebreysus
Yohannes Gebreysus’s someone is his daughter, Absera. In less than two years, she’ll be off to college. It’s hard to […]
READ MORE
#AndrewStrides the United States – Part VI
Note: This is the sixth installment in a 10-part series following Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) volunteer Andrew Miller as […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Becca Sandler
Editor’s note: As both Mother’s Day and National Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day draw near, we are republishing this heartwarming story from last […]
READ MORE
#AndrewStrides the United States – Part IV and V
Note: This is the fourth and fifth installment in a 10-part series following Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) volunteer Andrew […]
READ MORE
Our Very Own American Ninja Warrior: Joe Heiden
Last March, we shared the story of Joe Heiden, a 46-year-old pancreatic cancer survivor who competed in the qualifying-round of […]
READ MORE
20 Questions: An Interview with Two Volunteers Traveling Coast to Coast for PurpleStride
Editor’s note: Mike Linse of Oklahoma and Andrew Miller of Oregon met through their mutual dedication to the Pancreatic Cancer […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Natascha Martin
For each of us involved in the cause, it started with someone — the reason we were compelled to get […]
READ MORE
#AndrewStrides the United States – Part III
Note: This is the third installment in a 10-part series following Pancreatic Cancer Action Network volunteer Andrew Miller as he […]
READ MORE
PanCAN Volunteers Sit Down with KCAL-TV to Talk PurpleStride Los Angeles
April – Volunteer Appreciation Month – may have ended, but volunteer appreciation never ends at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. […]
READ MORE
Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day: We’re Better Together
This post was authored by Karen Templeton, a volunteer leader in our Birmingham Affiliate. My father was my best friend, […]
READ MORE
#AndrewStrides the United States – Part 2
Note: This is the second installment in a 10-part series following Pancreatic Cancer Action Network volunteer Andrew Miller as he […]
READ MORE
Wage Hope at PurpleStride: The Walk to End Pancreatic Cancer
During PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer, individuals across the country come together as one movement to Wage Hope […]
READ MORE
Volunteer Appreciation Month – Our Volunteers Take Us Far
Why do we dedicate the entire month of April to celebrating our wonderful volunteers? The answer is simple: Because they […]
READ MORE
Pancreatic Cancer Survivor Battled Breast Cancer Years Ago; Today She Volunteers To Help Bring Pancreatic Cancer Out of the Shadows
Editor’s note: In light of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month and November being Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, we are […]
READ MORE
University of Texas Southwestern and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Offer a Novel Approach
We recently had time to speak with Rebecca Minter, MD, a professor and the Alvin Baldwin Jr. Chair in the […]
READ MORE
Bring on the Sparkle Spirit in the Bluegrass State
We often say that the volunteers in our organization have “sparkle spirit”— a spirit filled with positivity, hope and passion. […]
READ MORE
Pizza by Pappas Fights Pancreatic Cancer by Making Pizza
Who knew you could Wage Hope by making (and eating) pizza? Bill Sheakoski and his brother, Tom, of Scranton, Penn., […]
READ MORE
It Starts with Someone: Katie Crane
My superhero mother had always been my strongest advocate. It was my turn to be hers… After her passing I wanted to do more so I set out to make a big purple splash one day in November and that grew into a national movement now known as Purple for a Purpose.
Carol Foreman
This is why I am fighting to advance research for pancreatic cancer…… My father, Minus John Leleaux, went to his dermatologist for what he thought might be an ingrown hair on his face.
The Cheneys
In the fall of 2004, a local doctor told Ralph Cheney he had an “undiagnosed obstruction” in the tail of his pancreas after two bouts of pancreatitis.
Brenda Coleman
“Spreading Hope and Inspiration: One Woman’s Journey with Pancreatic Cancer”
Surviving pancreatic cancer is like walking a tightrope.
