What moment has mattered the most to you during your volunteer journey?
Helping out at our first PurpleStride event and learning even more about such a great cause along with a core of the most compassionate and caring people we have ever met, we knew from that moment on that we would be here for PanCAN to help in whatever way needed.

Why did you want to volunteer with PanCAN?
After dealing with a heartbreaking loss of Brandi's father, Rob, in 2017 due to this nasty disease and learning more about pancreatic cancer and the survival rates, we knew there had to be a way to get the word out there and advocate for a better outcome. At that time we lived in Salt Lake City and there was no PanCAN affiliate there, and in all honesty we never heard of PanCAN before that. With a little research we found PanCAN and the closest affiliate was in Las Vegas. However, due to life changes in 2019, we relocated to Central Florida and researched more and found the local affiliate and also that a PurpleStride was happening 7-8 months afterwards. We did everything we could to become part of it and show our glowing passion for advocacy. Needless to say, we were hooked and wanted to help out in every way we could, the following week we volunteered at PurpleStride Tampa as well and went there to help the staff train others on what we learned from the previous week.

What is your best piece of advice for other new volunteers in leadership roles?
Don't feel too overwhelmed, it is a lot to learn. Take it step by step or piece by piece. Learn all you can and OWN it. Don't be scared to speak up or ask for help from your staff partner (shout out to Addie as she is the bomb) or your local affiliate. Last but not least, remember we are all a team of very compassionate volunteers that work together to make the end result the best it can be, so teamwork, teamwork, teamwork. :)

What one thing is your affiliate working on that is exciting or that you would like to share with your fellow volunteer leaders in other affiliates?
Our affiliate is currently looking to revamp our sponsorship strategy and we are very excited to see what Orlando and all of Central Florida has to offer. As well, we are learning more and more each day on the virtual side of things and are planning big things to make our virtual PurpleStride the one to beat.

What would people be most surprised to know about you?
Brandi has over 20 aunts and uncles, 17 of which are from her mother's side of the family and she hates snakes (yes, even if they are purple and fake). Derl was a professional disc jockey in Utah full time for four years on several different radio stations.