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Michael Hempel, aka Micki D, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2018 and lost his battle to this disease in October 2019.  He was a wonderful husband, father, brother-in-law and friend.  Micki D was only 60 years old when diagnosed and deserved to live a longer life.  Our first year to attend PurpleStride was November 2019 - about a month after we lost Michael.  This was a 2nd year and we created a team and t-shirts.  Our team may be small but we are striding to raise more each year.

To Michael - we love you and miss you so much every day.

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We stride for my Sweetums!  A great husband, father, son and Friend!  

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We stride for my Sweetums!  A great husband, father, son and Friend!  

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Bill, aka Sweetums, was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in November 2018 and passed away 2 months later on January 15, 2019. At 53, he had so much more life to live and the only symptoms he had was back pain and he started to lose weight but he was trying to lose a little so we didn't think that was a sign at the time. We attended PurpleStride in 2019 and raised around $6,000 for research.  My promise to my husband was to always honor him in everything I do and although it was hard, I know he is with us.  My prayer is one day we can have early detection and testing so people can catch this cancer early and live longer.  Remember behind every cancer fighter is an even stronger family or friend who stands by them, supports them and loves them with all their heart! We are SweetumsStrong!

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I lost my grandma in August of 2007. We attended our first Purplestride event in 2009. I didn’t attend another event until her 5 year anniversary in 2012 when I felt a calling to go in her memory. The organization was looking for an event coordinator and I felt that was the reason for me being there, not just to honor my grandma but to be apart of something big and to make a difference. From being the event coordinator and now the Media Chair and November Awareness chair, there was even a more reason to be involved. My father got diagnosed the day before Christmas Eve in 2016. He passed away July of 2017. He told me he was proud of what I have done with PANCAN and that to not give up hope for a cure one day and early detection. He said to me “you not only became apart of PANCAN because of your grandma, you joined because of me, you just didn’t know it at the time.” After my father I have lost some close friends to this disease. You can say I am a bit angry but that anger has turned my passion I have for this cause into a fighting force that is unstoppable. I will continue the fight for the loved ones I have lost, those fighting, my family, myself and especially my kids so that we have more of a chance at survival.

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We Stride for our dad who lost his battle at the age of just 40 years old. This year will mark 25 years that he has been gone. This will be our 8th year participating in #PurpleStrideSA. My brothers will tell you I rope them into coming every year, but truly when they see that sea of purple and the sign with our dad the #WhyIStride always kicks in; We Stride because it's not just our dad but all the other dad's and other survivors and people that we have met along the way. We have to #DemandBetter and keep the fight going. Pancreatic Cancer doesn't stop because there is a pandemic going on, it doesn't stop because it's raining or it's cold outside. We will be there with our purple on in November. In memory of our dad and in honor of our awesome care-giving mom.

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I stride for all in my life affected by pancreatic cancer

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I stride for all in my life affected by pancreatic cancer

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I lost my beautiful mom in November 1989 after a short time diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. My older brother Dan passed from pancreatic cancer in November 2009. My family back home in Illinois became involved with PANCAN Chicago in 2010. Being in San Antonio I didn't know how to be involved. I found the San Antonio group and registered for my first event in 2013. I have recently had friends diagnosed and pass from pancreatic cancer. I have felt the helpless feelings of not being able to help and the pain that the caregivers endure. This drives me to do what I can to #DemandBetter.

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We stride for mom. She fought this horrible disease until her last breath. Her battle was long and arduous September 2017-August 2019. Rest our beautiful warrior.

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I stride for my Sister & My husband's Aunt

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I stride for my Sister & My husband's Aunt

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Last year was an emotional year for my husband and I. I lost my sister who was 47 to pancreatic cancer in August and months later my husband's aunt passed away from it. I stride so that other families do not have to go through what my family went through.

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I am surviving, I was diagnosed 9/15/19.  Fortunately my stage 2 tumor was in the head/neck of my pancreas and I underwent Whipple Surgery 10/3/19.  After 7 Folfirinox chemo treatments, my liver was suffering so we stopped chemo.  So far, I've had 2 clear scans.  I pray to be in the very small group of those whose cancer never returns.  And I pray that the 10% five year survival rate grows to 100%.  Thank you PanCAN!

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Vicki was diagnosed in June 2019, entered a clinical trial and fought with such heart and bravery.  She died on Jan 1st, 2020 at 63 years young.  I miss her so much.  My friends and I are running a marathon in her honor and to raise funds for PanCan - reading these stories broke my heart but lifted my spirits.  One day we will find a cure.