My Story…
In 2008, I was training for my second Ironman Canada race with the amazing Cops for Cancer team. However, in May of that year my dad received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. I stopped training to focus on him and my family, knowing that the diagnosis had a very poor prognosis having lost both grandparents to the same disease. One July morning my dad said he was looking forward to watching me race! Suddenly, I was back to training. In August I had the great pleasure of crossing the finish line with my dad by my side for the last kilometer of the marathon. This was an incredibly special moment in my life. My dad survived 5 more years, a very rare feat with this kind of cancer. During that time he participated in pancreatic cancer treatment research, like the hero he was. I, however, slowly pulled away from the Cops for Cancer team. I think it was too emotionally painful to be reminded of this journey and part of me irrationally believed I invited the cancer into our lives by my participation.
Pancreatic cancer wasn't done with our family yet. Even though we were originally told it was not considered hereditary, Pancreatic cancer has since taken many more family members, including two of my dad's brothers and my younger brother, who died days before his 48th birthday! My brother and one of my uncles participated in pancreatic cancer genetic research, during their illnesses, in hopes of helping others with this type of cancer. Also heroes!
I recently began running consistently again and I have also worked on my own and with a therapist on my grief. It has been a long road but I feel ready to get back to using running as a platform for fundraising for cancer causes. I know it made my brother and dad proud and it helps me to do something productive with all that anger and grief. I want to run in memory of all my family members who have been impacted by pancreatic cancer and hope the money raised will go towards research on best practices for prevention, diagnosis and care during this challenging journey. Thanks for donating to Pancreatic Cancer Canada.
Description
We aren’t looking for sympathy. We’re looking for results. That means raising survival rates by funding research, as well as increasing awareness, education and patient support. We’ve invested nearly $5 million across Canada. Which means we’re on the cusp of a breakthrough in early detection, treatment and improving patient outcomes.
Donate now to help raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Canada to raise funds for critical research and awareness.
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| May 20 | Anonymous | Undisclosed amount |
| May 20 | Gene and Lauralee Cooper | $50.00 |
| May 20 | Faye Cooper | $50.00 |
| May 20 | Jane & Dennis Walker | $107.72 |
| May 20 | Janine and Chad Movold | $54.31 |
| May 19 | Darlene Kowalchuk | $54.31 |
| May 19 | Sue Goulet | $54.31 |
| May 19 | Anonymous | $100.00 |
| May 19 | Pauline Gibson | $27.60 |
| May 19 | Rae Finlayson | $54.31 |
