“There Isn’t a World Where Cancer Deserves to Be Credited With Victory.”

Editor’s Note: Riley Cherkes lost her dad, Dave, in 2020 after a diagnosis of stage IV pancreatic cancer in 2018. Riley found PanCAN when he was diagnosed, searching for everything she could possibly find about pancreatic cancer, how patients and families coped, and what resources were available to help him fight. This year, Riley created a Tribute Page in honor of her dad.

“I was inspired to create this tribute because my dad left an indelible mark on everyone he met in his life,” Riley said. “I wanted to share a little bit about the strength and passion I witnessed in him that made me question the phrase ’he lost his battle with cancer,’ as it just didn’t do his memory justice.”

Here, Riley reflects on her dad’s journey and her loss.

“I hope someone else will relate to it and it will remind them to keep strength, faith and hope during such trying times.”

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I hate when people use the phrase “he lost his battle with cancer,” as if he was defeated by something seemingly greater than him. There isn’t a world where cancer deserves to be credited with victory. I’ve learned the hard way that with cancer, there is no playing fair, no even playing field, no worthy opponent.

My father’s cancer was aggressive, merciless, wicked and cruel… as most cases of stage IV pancreatic cancer are. It subjected him and our family to unimaginable challenges. But even on his hardest days, on the days when the chemo had completely depleted his energy, my dad was still stronger.

He fought tirelessly, never seeking special treatment or pity from anyone. He refused to let his sickness define him, to allow bad days to dull his spirit, or to utter the words “I can’t.” Instead, he faced each day with unwavering courage, faith in himself and God, and that same sense of humor we adored in him so much. He made no complaints, and he made no excuses.

It is because of this profound expression of strength and resilience that I refuse to give cancer any more power or recognition. I reject the notion of “losing” when describing the end of my father’s extraordinary two-year battle against such an evil adversary.

Cancer has taken so much from me. But I won’t let it take the memory I have of how hard my dad fought day in and day out to stay present in our lives. I won’t let it diminish the deep sense of pride I have in knowing that my dad never gave cancer the satisfaction of succumbing to fear or weakness.

I may have lost my dad, but my dad never “lost” to cancer. No matter how hard it tried, it couldn’t break him. Cancer was no match for the warrior inside of him. Even after everything, I still believe that in the fight between good vs evil, goodness will always prevail.

After a heroic battle, my dad can finally rest now and is living in paradise… and for that he knows no losses.