PanCAN Volunteers Putting Hope into Action

Editor’s Note: PanCAN volunteers devote their time, energy and passion year-round to improving the lives of everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer. To celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week 2025 (April 20 – 26), we are highlighting a few of the many members of PanCAN’s nationwide network.

Every week of April, we will feature a volunteer story on PanCAN’s social media channels. Be sure to follow, like and share!

Robert Panacci, Affiliate Chair, Phoenix Affiliate

Robert is a five-year pancreatic cancer survivor. After attending PanCAN PurpleStride Phoenix for the first time in 2024, he joined the Phoenix Affiliate. He is passionate about improving the survival rate for pancreatic cancer, providing support for other survivors and increasing his affiliate’s year-round engagement with the Phoenix community. In addition to volunteering with PanCAN, Robert lends his expertise to a venture capital company that focuses on companies that invest in cancer technologies. Robert is the Team Captain of Team Pan-Tastic!

Learn more about Robert’s story here.

Kate Trulock, PanCAN PurpleStride San Diego Team Captain

Kate is an administrative assistant to Dr. Andrew Lowy, the clinical director for Cancer Surgery at UC San Diego Health Moores Cancer Center and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Kate first connected with PanCAN when organizing a pancreatic disease symposium at the University of Cincinnati in 2004. When she and Dr. Lowy moved to UC San Diego Health, she reached out to PanCAN once again for educational materials for patients and connected with the San Diego Affiliate. Kate has attended every PurpleStride San Diego since 2010 and plays an integral role in facilitating UC San Diego Health Cancer Services’ Premier Sponsorship. She is the Team Captain of the UC San Diego Health Oncology team.

Learn more about Kate’s story here.

Danielle Baham, Survivor Outreach Chair, Sacramento Affiliate

Danielle works for UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center as a dietician. She talks to cancer patients and their families about nutrition, helps them with symptom management and collaborates with their medical teams. Danielle shares information about PanCAN with newly diagnosed patients with pancreatic cancer, including diet and nutrition resources and encourages them to contact PanCAN Patient Services and PanCAN’s Survivor & Caregiver Network. Her favorite part of her volunteer role is connecting survivors and ensuring they don’t feel alone. She is the Team Captain of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center team and organizes fundraising events with her colleagues.

Learn more about Danielle’s story here.

Laurie Allen, PurpleStride Chair, Charlotte Affiliate

Laurie lost her father, Teeny, to pancreatic cancer in 2017. She has found volunteering with PanCAN to be a great way to channel her grief. She hopes to grow the size and impact of the Charlotte Affiliate and increase awareness of pancreatic cancer and PanCAN in her community. Laurie works with business owners and entrepreneurs at the Small Business Center at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. She is the Team Captain of Teeny’s Mustang Gang, which was named after her father’s love of Mustangs.

Learn more about Laurie’s story here.

Emma Huckins, Mission Chair, Pittsburgh Affiliate

Emma found PanCAN after her father, Sean, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022. She connected with the Pittsburgh Affiliate and gravitated to the Mission Committee. When her father died in 2023, she felt supported by her fellow volunteers and has continued to find comfort in educating others and advancing PanCAN’s mission. She enjoys connecting with Mission Chairs from other affiliates and sharing tips and creative ideas. Emma is the Team Captain of Sean Strong.

Learn more about Emma’s story here.