At Any Age, Have a Big Heart and Do Good for the World

Jackson and his late grandfather, John “Denny” Carnaghi.

One of the things I enjoy most about Advocacy Day is talking to survivors. Some of them remind me of my grandfather, who died of pancreatic cancer when I was 9. We had a strong bond. He was my hero and my friend. He taught me to play golf, to love Florida State University football and many other things. I think about him every single day. And when I talk to survivors at Advocacy Day and I meet with Congress and tell my story, I feel like he is with me.

I go to Advocacy Day every year with my parents. My first Advocacy Day, I thought it would be sad and emotional, but it was actually cool to meet other people who had been through what I had been through. I’m proud that even at my age, I can get a message to Congress to do something good and support pancreatic cancer research. Age really doesn’t matter – we’re all sending the same message whether we are 10 or 90 – and the more people who talk about pancreatic cancer, the bigger and louder the message is.

Jackson, 12, has attended Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., for four years.

I applaud everyone who gives money that allows the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to have an Advocacy Day and all the other things that they do to help patients. It’s very impressive, because anyone who donates has a big heart and has the desire to change the world.

This year I asked my Florida senators and representative to make the impossible possible for pancreatic cancer. To do a good thing for the world and help us achieve something that is really hard but that can be done one day – end pancreatic cancer by putting more money toward research.

I don’t want anyone else to feel the pain of losing someone to this disease. We need more people to fight and give back. I know our efforts at Advocacy Day this year will pay off. I already can’t wait for next year.

Jackson Carnaghi
12 years old

P.S. In the meantime, thank you for watching a video that I made about Advocacy Day!

You can help make the impossible possible in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Make a donation today and support our year-round advocacy efforts as well as all of our programs and services. Thank you for doing a good thing!