https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020 Please use this as a space to share a memory, a message, or a photo of #WhyIStride or who you #DemandBetter for in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Posts will be anonymous, but feel free to add your name to your post! en-us 2020-05-18 17:31:00 UTC 2024-07-24 16:20:17 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/623173446
In January 2016, my incredible mother, Elizabeth Brenzel Delicati, was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. I was 8 months pregnant with my second daughter when we got that devastating news. It turned our world, as we knew it, upside down. My mom did chemo for over 6 months and was so brave and strong. I always admired her and knew she was amazing, but this, to see her go through this and never once ask “why me”... well, it blew me away and I was so proud to be her daughter. Every day was a struggle, because well, chemo sucks. And cancer sucks. And seeing her lose her hair sucks. And seeing her barely want to leave the house sucked. But you know what didn’t suck? Her attitude. Her will power. Her courage and never ending strength. And the amazing village of family and friends that surrounded us daily. Our legion, Liz’s legion. They were there right by her side, our side, every step of the way. Through her diagnosis and side effect struggles, and when she passed in October 2016. We have a pretty large legion and we all stride for Liz. We stride for her honor, we stride in her memory, and we stride for all of those that need just a few more soldiers in their own legion. ]]> 2020-06-11 21:26:48 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/623173446 arappoport https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/624216776 I Demand Better for all of those affected by pancreatic cancer, and I Wage Hope for better outcomes for those who are currently battling or will be diagnosed in the future. 

-Alex Rappoport]]> 2020-06-12 15:23:39 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/624216776 https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/624760194 In March of 2015, my dad was diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer. We were absolutely devastated. He proceeded to have the Whipple at Jefferson Hospital, followed by chemo and radiation. Two months after diagnosis, his doctor uttered the words “George you are now cancer free and I have every reason to believe you will live the rest of your life healthy”. Five months after surgery, we discovered his cancer had not only returned but spread to his major organs and there was nothing more we could do. I was 5 months pregnant at the time he passed away in December 2015. After he passed, I promised him I would continue his battle. I stride for my dad, patients, caregivers, families, doctors and researchers . I stride for the day a doctor can say “ you have pancreatic cancer but this is how we will cure it.”   We have alot of work to do yet, but we will get there! 

Kathleen Daboura ]]> 2020-06-13 02:21:32 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/624760194 https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625047699 Pat Shotwell was an important man to many.  A devoted husband, loving father, fun and loving papa, brother, uncle, boss, and a fair great mechanic well known in our little community.  He was a man of character and more importantly a  man of his word.   The only word he didn’t keep was that he was going to beat this disease.   He lived strongly with this disease for approx. 16 months, but his last month of life was tough and quite honestly dehumanizing!   We, his children and his wife, vowed to him that we wouldn’t let his will to beat this disease die with him, we vowed that we would finish his fight.   Today we stride for this man that we love so deeply.  We strides to provided better outcomes for those patients that are being diagnosed.  A 9% 5-year survival rate is simply unacceptable!  God Bless all of those affected by this disease, patients, care-givers, families!  We love you Dad and we miss you, however we know that you are with us with every step we take and every.]]> 2020-06-13 13:25:40 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625047699 coach2780 https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625176841 I stride for my Dad and everyone impacted by Pancreatic Cancer.  My Dad was a big boxing fan, pictured here with former Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis who was training in the Poconos.  When Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer to start 2001 he was given 10 months to live.  Like the fighter he was we would say every day we would battle 15 rounds like the old days and fight Pancreatic Cancer.  He beat the doctors odds and fought for almost two years passing away December 26th 2002. It was then that I discovered the Pancreatic Cancer Network and joined their team to wage hope against Pancreatic Cancer.  I am inspired by what the organization is achieving and look forward to being a part of helping others fight and beat this horrible disease.  - Dan LaMagna ]]> 2020-06-13 16:26:21 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625176841 https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625185392 In May of 2016, Mike Savitsky was diagnosed with Stage III inoperable cancer!  After a course of chemo, he was entered into an immunotherapy clinical trial at Johns Hopkins.    He always said if the trial did not help him it could provide information to help others.  Throughout his battle, Mike continued to work full time as a trial lawyer!  Mike refused to be defined by his disease.  Mike lost his battle in 2019, and I promised him I would continue his fight to find a cure.  Mike wanted a team for the 2019 which he named Purple Storm!  While he died before the team’s inaugural PurpleSride, his spirit was with us!  Today, Purple Storm strides in Mike’s memory and to wage hope for today’s warriors and their families!  He is loved and missed!  ]]> 2020-06-13 16:39:06 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625185392 https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625191909 Today we stride for Arlene Tully. We lost Arlene in 2017 after her courageous 6 year battle with pancreatic cancer. Arlene was a courageous soul who took on this illness with the most grace I’ve ever seen. She was a truly joyous person that loved her family and friends! She spent her days cooking, shopping, laughing with her friend, Annie and spending time with her grandkids and husband, Marty. Since she passed, I made it my mission to wage hope and be an angel on the ground. I created the team, Arlene’s Angels and started to get involved in all fundraisers dealing with pancreatic cancer. To date, we have raised over $10,000 in Arlene’s name. We have hope in knowing that research is being done to help stop this awful disease. We send our love to all those who are battling pancreatic cancer and all those who have lost a loved ones. They are the reason we stride. So happy to get out today with my father in law and husband to celebrate the life of this wonderful and courageous woman!!! 💜💜💜💜]]> 2020-06-13 16:49:49 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625191909 https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625202979 Today, I stride for Najah Nemeh, who left her family too soon due to this horrible disease. She was a loving mother, wife, daughter, and friend to all who knew her. We stride in her memory , we stride for her family and those that loved her, and we stride for the countless patients and families who have been affected by pancreatic cancer. 💜
Kathleen Daboura ]]> 2020-06-13 17:07:14 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625202979 https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625225421 Today I also stride for Ed Zamiskie, who lost his battle to pancreatic cancer in 2011. We stride today in Ed’s memory, we stride for his family, and for everyone that has been affected by pancreatic cancer. We stride for better outcomes for patients and families. Ed was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend to everyone that knew him and he is missed dearly 💜
Kathleen Daboura ]]> 2020-06-13 17:41:34 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625225421 https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625250064 I stride for anyone who has felt pain from this disease. I volunteer with the perspective in mind, that one day, someone battling Pancreatic Cancer, will receive a phone call informing them that they've found a cure. The joy I imagine that person will feel, along with whoever has endured the fight with them, is more than enough to keep pushing forward through unusual times. It's an honor to stride with all of you today.  

Kyle Savage
NEPA PurpleStride Chair 2020]]> 2020-06-13 18:26:00 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625250064 https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625311089      My mom was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer September 2012 and fought this disease until she passed November 11,2014. She had had the Whipple surgery and was told by her doctor that they had removed all of the cancer, but just like many others, her cancer had returned. In the 26 months she had with us, she was able to enjoy many happy days. She was even able to take a trip to Disney World.. 
      My mom was the most caring, loving, strong, and forgiving person. She had such a determination, strong will, and unshakeable faith. She has taught  me so much about life and, I am so fortunate to call her Mom. 
                                                
                                                        Lori Noldy]]> 2020-06-13 20:20:18 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625311089 https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625416961 I stride in memory of my Dad and those who were silenced by pancreatic cancer. I also stride for those fighting this horrible disease. Keep going and never give up. 💜]]> 2020-06-14 00:53:02 UTC https://padlet.com/arappoport/nepa2020/wish/625416961