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Lauren with her dad, Doug at a Detroit Tigers baseball game.
Like many people, Lauren Higgins didn’t know a lot about pancreatic cancer until someone she loved was diagnosed. By the time her father Douglas was referred to an oncologist and diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his disease had progressed. Only one short month later on May 3, Douglas lost his life, and Lauren lost her dad
Lauren with her dad, Doug at a Detroit Tigers baseball game.
“I can’t believe that in 2016, we do not have a way to screen for pancreatic cancer,” said Lauren. “My dad was prepared to fight. He wanted to fight! He just never got the chance.”
In the weeks following his death, Lauren frequently dreamt of her dad. During one particular dream, Lauren awoke suddenly and saw a PurpleStride PSA playing on her television.
Call it divine intervention or pure coincidence, Lauren knew in her heart that the PSA was a sign.
Lauren with her teammates at PurpleStride Oklahoma.
Lauren had made a promise to her dad to take care of herself and to continue her exercise regimen. PurpleStride was the prefect way for her to get back on track and keep that promise she made to her dad.
As Lauren fulfilled this promise through PurpleStride, she was surprised to find another benefit -- a community of purple people that knew and understood exactly what she was going through. Lauren has found her second family through PurpleStride and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
“At my first PurpleStride, I didn’t know anyone besides my fellow teammates,” said Lauren. “But walking with others who have lost their dads and loved ones, as well as survivors currently battling the disease, bonded us and reminded me that I’m not alone.”
PurpleStride is built upon community, commonality and a passion to change the course of this terrible disease. Sign up for your local PurpleStride today to Wage Hope and connect with people like Lauren.
