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Cynthia Stroum has supported PanCAN persistently and passionately since its earliest days in tribute to her late father, who had pancreatic cancer.
Persistence. Passion. Determination.
For more than two decades, Cynthia Stroum has worked persistently, passionately and with relentless determination to eliminate the devastation that pancreatic cancer causes for far too many patients and families.
Along the way she’s been energized by the discoveries of scientific investigators, including those whose research she’s funded. She’s been moved by the force of thousands of likeminded advocates over the years who have joined together in Washington, D.C., to speak with Congressional leaders about more federal funding for the disease. She’s been an engaged leader—as PanCAN’s Founding Board Chair as well as an influential connector helping PanCAN make even greater strides each year.
Cynthia also has been driven to donate to PanCAN since she first learned about the organization in its earliest days.
All of Cynthia’s actions help ensure that others won’t have to experience what her family did when her father, Samuel Stroum, learned he had pancreatic cancer in 2000.
“I immediately threw myself into the work that PanCAN was doing,” Cynthia said. “I traveled to Washington, D.C. and set up meetings with members of Congress who were willing to meet with us because of my dad’s personal connections, and we walked the halls of Congress with purpose, pushing for support for pancreatic cancer research.”
Cynthia went on to attend research conferences, speaking with physicians and scientists about the latest research into new pancreatic cancer treatments. She told friends and acquaintances about how PanCAN was bringing information, resources and hope to people with the disease, and encouraged anyone she met with a connection to contact the organization to get support—and give support.
“I did it because of my father,” she said.
Cynthia Stroum with her father Samuel, whom she grew up watching and admiring.
Persistence, passion and determination also described Samuel Stroum. A renowned Seattle philanthropist, he was particularly interested in medical research and liked the idea of supporting young people in their efforts to improve the world.
“He especially loved the energy of young investigators,” Cynthia said. “He would say, ‘You never know who’s going to unlock the mystery.’”
When Samuel Stroum passed away in 2001, Cynthia knew that one of the best ways to honor his legacy was to fund a PanCAN scientific research grant. She funded the first PanCAN Young Investigator Award, which helped people jump-start their careers in pancreatic cancer research, when the organization’s scientific grants program was established in 2003. She continued to do so each year for more than a decade.
“I was 50 when my dad was diagnosed,” Cynthia said. “I knew that there might not be enough time for research discoveries to save me if I got the disease, but that it could be enough time to save future generations.”
Cynthia still gets emotional remembering the day her larger-than-life father got the devastating diagnosis from his doctor.
“I grew up watching and admiring my father, a strong man who always commanded attention,” Cynthia said. “I saw the light go out of him that day.”
She told her father she would fight for him when he no longer could.
And she has.
Today, PanCAN continues to thrive and make a profound impact on the lives of patients with the help of people like Cynthia, who make it their life’s calling to help others.
She said it’s no surprise that persistence, passion and determination also describe the PanCAN culture, especially as it relates to creating trailblazing initiatives like PanCAN Patient Services and its Know Your Tumor® precision medicine service.
“I’m proud of PanCAN and what we’ve built together,” Cynthia said. “Of all the things I’ve accomplished in my life, my involvement with PanCAN is the most passionate thing I’ve ever done and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. PanCAN will always be dear to my heart.”
