In May, 2005 my life changed forever. It was then that I learned that my dad had pancreatic cancer. It’s hard to describe how I felt when I found out. I just couldn’t believe this was happening – not to my dad. He was in such great shape and took care of himself better than any person I had ever known. How could this be happening? I was just 13 years old – I wasn’t supposed to lose my father.

 

     Sadly, in February 2006, after the battle of my dad’s life and a mere 9 months after he was diagnosed, my dad lost his fight. And I lost my father. It was then that I knew I needed to do something to make a difference in fighting this terrible disease. 

 

     I am currently working to raise $100,000 in memory of my dad.  All of the funds are being donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org), a nationwide network of people dedicated to working together to advance research, support patients and create hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer.

   

   Each year the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network  partners with the prestigious American Association of Cancer Research to identify the most meritorious science in the field of pancreatic cancer that is needing funding to take it to the next level of research.  Each research grant has a cost of $100,000 for a two year period.  For more information on the grant process, please visit http://pancan.org/Research/index.html.

 

     Your support of this very important effort will help to make a difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer.  You can help to change history for this horrible disease by making a donation to my campaign.  Currently there are no early detection methods, no effective treatments and no cure for this disease.  It is the #4 cancer killer in America and has the highest fatality rate of all of the top cancers.  Less than 5% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer live for 5 years.

 

     Please help change these statistics and give hope to the pancreatic cancer community.  Join me in doing everything we can so that another young girl doesn’t lose her precious father to this awful disease.