I had the honor of photographing one of the largest pancreatic cancer fundraising events in the country this past November - it was my donation to the cause. With the 7th anniversary of my father's passing coming up on Jan. 30th, I wanted to post something positive to show that something came out of that tragedy for me. I have found something to put my heart into and a cause that my father would have championed being that he was a doctor. He fought hard for only 7 months from his diagnosis to his death. I will forever be changed by pancreatic cancer. Too soon after losing my father, I would lose my mother as well because she lost her health insurance when my father died and she could not get health insurance because of her pre-existing conditions. To me, pancreatic cancer took both of my parents. It was amazing to be a part of something that so many are fighting to see a (significant) change in raising the survival rate of this horrible disease out of the single digits! Please visit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's official website to see how you can join the cause! www.pancan.org
On the left is Lisa Niemi Swayze (wife of the late actor,
Patrick Swayze) who is the ambassodor for the Pancreatic
Cancer Action Network. On the right is Julie Fleshman, the
President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
They both came to lend their support for the huge event.
I was able to get a photograph with Lisa Swayze and
Julie Fleshman. It was below freezing the entire day, so
everyone was bundled up!
A participant adding their loved one's name to the Memory
Wall.
Volunteers maning the Shop Purple gift shop area.
Also photographed, is a pancreatic cancer survivor
which is just incredible since there aren't many
survivors of this most devastating type of cancer.
The event took place in Fairmont Park in front of Memorial
Hall which is home to the "Please Touch Museum". Runners
pose for a fun shot as they run past the museum to get
to the finish line.
A large group of friends who participated in the walk as a team.
Not only were there hundreds of people, but there were also
many "furry" participants!
The young girl on the left raised more than $50,000 for
the cause to help with pancreatic cancer research.
She raised the most money for the event. Just
incredible!
Another large team.
Children in line to get a balloon made for them.
All the coordinators for the Pancreatic Cancer Action
Network that put on this fantastic event. Congratulations
you guys on a huge success! Here's to next year's event
(which I will be photographing again for the cause)!
Here's the winning contestant and her family getting
recognized at the awards banquet at the end of the race.
