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Siblings Ryan and Lauren Moniz
An energetic, lively, bubbly personality.
A motto to “make friends with everyone.”
A man committed to living life with purpose, encouraging his family to do the same.
Avito Moniz was all of this and more to his children, Ryan and Lauren Moniz.
They lost their father to pancreatic cancer in September 2023. He was 73 years old.
“It came as a shock to all of us, his four kids and his extended family,” said Ryan of his father’s diagnosis. “And he wanted more time. He sought treatment and received it and had some magical experiences in the last nine months before his passing.”
Avito and Joe Moniz
Then in August 2024, the Moniz family received more devastating news. Ryan and Lauren’s uncle, Joe Moniz, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died just weeks later. Sadly, Ryan and Lauren also lost their paternal grandfather, Riaro Moniz – Joe and Avito’s dad -- to pancreatic cancer in 1979. While Ryan and Lauren remember and celebrate their beloved family members, they also take their family’s story as a call to action.
During Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Ryan and Lauren are raising awareness of pancreatic cancer. They want others to know the symptoms and risk factors. They encourage everyone to understand their family history and to talk about it with their healthcare team.
For the Moniz family, this has meant gathering information, talking about their options given their family history and asking questions so they can be proactive about their health.
“Take action now,” Ryan said. “Get the genetic testing done. Think about the lifestyle actions that you can take now for managing risks in general, and then establish care with a gastroenterologist.”
The Moniz family is also contributing to research. More than ten family members have enrolled in the PRECEDE study, which is a large, international effort focused on increasing survival for pancreatic cancer patients by improving early detection, screening and prevention for those with a heritable risk for pancreatic cancer.
“It’s an opportunity for us, as a family, to take action,” Ryan said. “I think there’s a fear in this and I’ve come to not be afraid. I’d much rather know so I can do something about it. That’s why we’re participating in research. That’s why we’re all advocating for our health.”
Like so many facing pancreatic cancer, both Avito and Joe were diagnosed at stage IV, after the disease had spread, limiting treatment options. If the family can contribute to efforts to improve early detection, Ryan said, perhaps helping to uncover as-of-yet unrealized genetic links, it will be a fitting legacy for their loved ones.
Father Joe, as he was known to many in Pasadena, was a pastor at St. Philip the Apostle Church for nearly 20 years. His funeral brought those who loved him together to celebrate his legacy of life lived in service to others.
“It was a packed church,” Ryan said. “It was so clear how much he touched the lives of people in that community.”
He also meant a lot to his family, including his seven siblings, nieces, nephews and now their children. He was at the center of his family’s major events, performing countless baptisms and weddings over the years.
“So much of his life was given to others and he felt so fulfilled in that,” Ryan said.
PanCAN has been a source of strength for the Moniz family as they remember Avito and Joe. They participated in PanCAN PurpleStride Los Angeles last year as Team Avito’s Legacy – with their father’s legendary mustache as their team logo. This year, in honor of their Uncle Joe, they’ve changed their name to Team Moniz Legacy and are looking forward to reconnecting with folks they’ve met through PanCAN.
“The community that exists through PurpleStride is unparalleled,” Ryan said.
Lauren and Ryan encourage anyone facing pancreatic cancer to contact PanCAN. It may seem like an overwhelming time, but there’s a team of people who are ready to be by your side.
“The one thing I would like people to know about pancreatic cancer is that it can hit you really hard but you’re not alone,” said Ryan. “There is an incredible community that PanCAN supports.”
Their father encouraged Ryan and Lauren to live mission-driven lives – so they know he’d be proud of the work they are doing to raise awareness and support others impacted by pancreatic cancer.
“PanCAN gives us hope,” said Lauren. “Knowing what PanCAN does for people that are impacted by this disease – that gives us hope.”
