Jim Hart, Affiliate Chair, Raliegh-Durham Affiliate
Explain your connection to pancreatic cancer. How long have you been volunteering with the organization?
I was diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in July 2014. Initially, I was told that my tumor was inoperable, but I got a second opinion that I liked a lot better. After six months of chemotherapy, the tumor had shrunk and I qualified for a Whipple, which I had in January 2015.
I attended my first PanCAN event in October of 2014 - PurpleLight. There, I learned about what the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network does, the need for support and the opportunities that were open. I attended my first meeting of the local affiliate only a couple of weeks after my surgery. The team was very busy with PurpleStride at the time, so I spent most of the spring attending meetings and listening to what goes on. I was amazed by the hard work and dedication of the team. Once I had my strength back, I volunteered to take on the role of PurpleLight Chair and was responsible for hosting it in 2015 and 2016. In December of 2016, I became the Affiliate Chair and helped lead a successful PurpleStride in 2017.
What do you like most about volunteering with PanCAN?
I like working with a team of dedicated people who are willing to devote time to solving a difficult problem. From the home office all the way down to our local volunteers, everyone with whom I have worked, either at or through PanCAN, has been devoted to the cause, energetic in their actions, and forward-thinking in their planning. This is an organization that is working very tightly with all the right players. I am certain that PanCAN's work will eventually lead to detection methods and better treatment for the disease. I like knowing that the time I dedicate to PanCAN is valuable, serves a larger purpose and has the potential to find the treatments that so many of us need.
What is your affiliate focused on going into the New Year?
Our primary goals for 2018 are to increase our media presence and, through that, to grow PurpleStride. Our new Media Relations Chair, John Lowe, has hit the ground running since coming on board in September and has secured media tie-ins with local hospitals, magazines and a chain of radio stations in eastern North Carolina. We expect big things to come from this - the more we get our word out, the more people will begin to take pancreatic cancer as the serious issue it is.
We also hope that this media outreach will increase awareness of PurpleStride so that we can meet our goal of 1,800 participants (up from 1,600 last year) and meet of targets for donations. The Raleigh-Durham area is home to research universities and hospitals that have dedicated cancer centers. Engaging this network of physicians and researchers should give us the boost we need to raise our profile, raise awareness and engage the community as we Wage Hope and Demand Better for those of us with pancreatic cancer.
Describe your affiliate in three words.
Dedicated. Energetic. Fun.
Comments
Date Posted: Dec 13, 2017 at 5:13 PM
Thank you, Jim, for everything you do for PanCAN!! Your spirit, strength, and determination are an inspiration to all of us. It is an honor to work alongside you!!<br />
Merry Christmas to you and your family! <br />
Alison
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