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Our PanCAN family is full of people who have gotten involved to make life better for pancreatic cancer patients every day.
And as we mark the start of Black History Month, an annual celebration recognizing Black Americans who have made remarkable contributions in their community, we pay tribute to just a few of the many who are showing caring and compassion for the pancreatic cancer community.
The Black History Month 2021 national theme is, “The Black Family.” Whether our supporters’ involvement with us is on behalf of family, or alongside family, or to meet new friends in the PanCAN volunteer family, this year’s theme is befitting.
Throughout February, we’ll highlight stories guaranteed to leave you hopeful and inspired, including:
- Roberta and Adrienne Zeigler, a mom and daughter who volunteer with PanCAN, raising awareness about pancreatic cancer among the Black community in the Detroit area. The passion runs deep: Roberta is a pancreatic cancer survivor, and Black Americans have the highest incidence rate of pancreatic cancer in the United States.
- Rodney Williams, a member of PanCAN’s Board of Directors. He lost a family member to pancreatic cancer and, like the Zeiglers, his goal is to raise awareness about the increased risk of pancreatic cancer among people of color.
- PurpleStride Team Captain Alex Coleman, whose wife, Donna, died of pancreatic cancer almost seven years ago. Though Alex has remarried, he and his family continue to raise funds for PanCAN by recruiting team members to join them for PurpleStride Dallas-Ft. Worth. He said, “PurpleStride is like a family reunion, all of us coming together to honor Donna’s memory.”
- Karla Russell, a clinical research nurse coordinator at UCLA Health who encourages patients to consider clinical trials at diagnosis and during every treatment decision.
- Karyn Temple of the Washington, D.C., area, who raised money for PanCAN in memory of her father, whom she lost to pancreatic cancer, as well as her grandmother.
And this is just a glimpse at what’s to come.
We also invite you to share your own story of hope and inspiration, or that of someone who inspires you, during Black History Month. Visit Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and use @PanCAN and #PanCANforProgress.
Then get involved with PanCAN in your own community. We can’t wait to have you!
