What is your connection to pancreatic cancer?
In January 2015 my brother was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and he died from it in March of the same year. As siblings go we were very close. My volunteering in this organization is how I try to honor him.

Do you have a favorite memory about your volunteer work with PanCAN so far?
It's hard to point out one exact memory. I'll go over a couple and let you guys choose.

1. Friendships made. The friendships I've made from volunteering for this organization are special. There is a true bond formed when working together to fight something bigger than you.
2. Through friends recognizing my volunteering for the Birmingham Affiliate they have passed the word on to individuals who have had pancreatic cancer diagnosis within their families. I have one friend who has had 3 good friend's husbands diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. These families didn't know where to turn--so my friend knew I volunteered and directed them to me. They are all now active in PANCAN. (summary: word of mouth!)
3. Event recruitment. We've had 3 Pancreatic Cancer nights at the Birmingham Baron's (our minor league team) Baseball game. It was a fair amount of work setting it all up, ticket selling, having a booth at the game, etc. and I found myself discouraged at our group's attendance. HOWEVER, at each of these three games we found one or more key volunteers---individuals who didn't know we existed, but had direct links to Pancreatic Cancer. These individuals were more than worth the time and effort to be there.

What made you want to volunteer for PanCAN and take on a leadership role?
I was asked! After we had the top fundraising team in the 2015 Birmingham PurpleStride--I saw what a good group it was. I needed a way to funnel my grief-- PurpleStride made me feel like I was doing something to honor my brother--so I reached out to see what other ways I could help. The Affiliate Chair at the time, Sue Clements, went over with me different roles and expectations and we thought I'd be well suited for Community Engagement and Outreach.
 
How do you think your role as Affiliate Chair makes an impact on the PanCAN mission?
Fighting pancreatic cancer and saving and improving lives takes money. I see myself as the organizer and cheerleader of our affiliate's fundraising efforts. Finding and placing volunteers and doing whatever you can to assist them in their roles is what I try to do. If our volunteers are engaged we (I) will be impactful.

What is your Affiliate up to in 2019? What are your goals?
Our 2019 PurpleStride will be in a new location--which is considered one of the happening spots in Birmingham--Railroad Park. We're all very excited to see what this new venue brings. Our goal is to exceed 2018 fundraising efforts and 2018 was our best year ever! As I like to say, (unfortunately for others a little too frequently)--it's all about the "Benjamins."

Another goal is to bring in new people. We're using Volunteer Match as a way to do that and we've been successful in bringing in some new dedicated individuals. I'd like to see that continue and maybe explore social media venues for recruiting volunteers. Also practice the habit of reaching and asking more. Not everyone can take on big roles, but everyone can do something!

Another goal is start early on November Awareness. We've (I've) not done a very good job here. We need a team to work on this and so far haven't had much success in recruitment--except for our excellent November Awareness Chair. Our PurpleStride is April 6. The week of April 8, 2019--I'd like to think we could go full speed ahead on November Awareness.

Recruit more individuals to lobby in June for Pancreatic Cancer. We've pretty much had the same couple of people go the last few years. I'd like to recruit more and maybe even explore the scholarship options available for those who can't afford to pay their own way.

Do a survey of the membership on when and where they would like to attend meetings. Our monthly meeting attendance is not what I'd like to see. We have basically the same folks come every time. We did have some new faces when we ventured to a local brewery in October---look for where the people want to be and when they want to be there!

Succession Planning is a goal. Find the individual who will be the next Affiliate Chair and have them meet regularly with Sue Clements (former chair) and shadow me some.
 
Go statewide. We're in the process of brining in folks from across the state---I think eventually there should be an affiliate in Huntsville and probably Mobile.

More event based functions. Visibility in our communities is key. See Birmingham Baron's info above. Right now we're looking at a UAB Blazer's football game for 2019.

Other important note: I know our affiliate is shaking and moving primarily due to the national staff and your commitment. The structure of having one contact is EXCELLENT. The limited time I've been involved with PANCAN, I know there has been a lot frustration in working with national. I'm so pleased to say all that is gone. Kathryn Evans is GREAT!!!! Really, I would have stepped down without her knowledge, dedication, continual willingness to help and her encouragement.