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Message From The Volunteer Advisory Council
The Volunteer Advisory Council (VAC) provides advice and input to PanCAN regarding the organization’s volunteer program and affiliate network in alignment with the organization’s mission and goals. Each member holds a three-year term. This role is a commitment that supports PanCAN’s core values: passion, integrity, compassion and hope.
In August, five volunteers will be completing their term as VAC leaders. Many have connected with these volunteers through outreach efforts to build relationships, listen and support each affiliate and empower the volunteer voice for the success of PanCAN. A transition period with incoming VAC volunteers will maintain the relationships with each affiliate.
A huge thank you to these VAC volunteers:
Nathan Burger began volunteering with the Indianapolis Affiliate in 2014 after losing one of his best friends to pancreatic cancer at the young age of 27. He is a volunteer with the Central Florida Affiliate as Affiliate Chair and Teams Chair. Nathan has also been instrumental in assisting with the establishment of a VAC Alumni group. His talents and energy are infectious.
Frank De Seno served as a Purple Light Chair, Media Chair and advocate for the Chicago Affiliate before relocating to Phoenix where he is presently the Affiliate Chair. In 2008, De Seno lost his older brother to pancreatic cancer just 30 days after being diagnosed. In 2011, Frank lost his wife at age 52 to the disease. He has made it his mission to help fight and find a cure for the world’s toughest cancer. Frank’s dedication is an example for all.
Gloria J. Perry has served as volunteer for the Washington D.C. Affiliate since 2017. Her passion to serve stems from the loss of her mother in 2016, nearly six months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Gloria’s PanCAN volunteer journey began with PurpleStride. She supports the DC Affiliate in Volunteer Recruitment, Outreach, November Awareness, Advocacy and PurpleStride. Gloria will remain dedicated to improving the outcomes of all pancreatic cancer patients.
Annette Fetty-Santilli called the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) on Oct. 9, 2007. It was the day after her 38-year-old brother’s funeral – he passed away from pancreatic cancer. he made a promise to do everything she could to help end this disease. Annette has been a Community Partner volunteer and has made valuable connections. Her “purple passion” makes Annette a true advocate, having been a part of Advocacy for many years.
Matt Wilson has been a pancreatic cancer survivor since 2012. He joined the Delaware Affiliate on his one-year survivor anniversary to honor his family, friends and co-workers who supported him through all his tests, surgery and months of recovery. Matt hit the ground running by volunteering in a variety of roles with the affiliate’s first PurpleStride. In 2013, he was asked to be the State Leader at Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.
Matt was awarded the Randy Pausch award in 2014. The award recognizes a core role volunteer who has contributed outstanding service that goes above and beyond what is expected to advance the mission of PanCAN, who upholds volunteer core values, and who is an inspirational leader and a role model in the pancreatic cancer community. The award is also given to someone who embodies the late Dr. Pausch’s optimism, courage and enthusiasm for life.
Matt has served as Delaware’s Advocacy Chair and Affiliate Chair. After serving for six years as VAC Co-Chair, he will be Communications Chair for the affiliate. Matt may be a survivor, but that is not what defines him. It is his core values, leadership and kindhearted personality that have made him a model for all volunteers, past, present and future.
While it is difficult to see these volunteers go, I am confident each of them will remain active in their volunteer communities as well as the VAC Alumni. Their dedicated time, shared talents and leadership qualities have had an impact that cannot be measured but is immensely appreciated. On behalf of all volunteers and PanCAN staff, THANK YOU!
In August, five volunteers will be completing their term as VAC leaders. Many have connected with these volunteers through outreach efforts to build relationships, listen and support each affiliate and empower the volunteer voice for the success of PanCAN. A transition period with incoming VAC volunteers will maintain the relationships with each affiliate.
A huge thank you to these VAC volunteers:
Nathan Burger began volunteering with the Indianapolis Affiliate in 2014 after losing one of his best friends to pancreatic cancer at the young age of 27. He is a volunteer with the Central Florida Affiliate as Affiliate Chair and Teams Chair. Nathan has also been instrumental in assisting with the establishment of a VAC Alumni group. His talents and energy are infectious.
Frank De Seno served as a Purple Light Chair, Media Chair and advocate for the Chicago Affiliate before relocating to Phoenix where he is presently the Affiliate Chair. In 2008, De Seno lost his older brother to pancreatic cancer just 30 days after being diagnosed. In 2011, Frank lost his wife at age 52 to the disease. He has made it his mission to help fight and find a cure for the world’s toughest cancer. Frank’s dedication is an example for all.
Gloria J. Perry has served as volunteer for the Washington D.C. Affiliate since 2017. Her passion to serve stems from the loss of her mother in 2016, nearly six months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Gloria’s PanCAN volunteer journey began with PurpleStride. She supports the DC Affiliate in Volunteer Recruitment, Outreach, November Awareness, Advocacy and PurpleStride. Gloria will remain dedicated to improving the outcomes of all pancreatic cancer patients.
Annette Fetty-Santilli called the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) on Oct. 9, 2007. It was the day after her 38-year-old brother’s funeral – he passed away from pancreatic cancer. he made a promise to do everything she could to help end this disease. Annette has been a Community Partner volunteer and has made valuable connections. Her “purple passion” makes Annette a true advocate, having been a part of Advocacy for many years.
Matt Wilson has been a pancreatic cancer survivor since 2012. He joined the Delaware Affiliate on his one-year survivor anniversary to honor his family, friends and co-workers who supported him through all his tests, surgery and months of recovery. Matt hit the ground running by volunteering in a variety of roles with the affiliate’s first PurpleStride. In 2013, he was asked to be the State Leader at Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.
Matt was awarded the Randy Pausch award in 2014. The award recognizes a core role volunteer who has contributed outstanding service that goes above and beyond what is expected to advance the mission of PanCAN, who upholds volunteer core values, and who is an inspirational leader and a role model in the pancreatic cancer community. The award is also given to someone who embodies the late Dr. Pausch’s optimism, courage and enthusiasm for life.
Matt has served as Delaware’s Advocacy Chair and Affiliate Chair. After serving for six years as VAC Co-Chair, he will be Communications Chair for the affiliate. Matt may be a survivor, but that is not what defines him. It is his core values, leadership and kindhearted personality that have made him a model for all volunteers, past, present and future.
While it is difficult to see these volunteers go, I am confident each of them will remain active in their volunteer communities as well as the VAC Alumni. Their dedicated time, shared talents and leadership qualities have had an impact that cannot be measured but is immensely appreciated. On behalf of all volunteers and PanCAN staff, THANK YOU!
- Written by Janice Griffin, VAC Member
Comments
Date Posted: Jul 8, 2022 at 3:06 PM
Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to helping so many others in the volunteer community!
Date Posted: Jul 7, 2022 at 7:12 AM
As a founding VAC member thank you to each of these individuals for their continuing contributions to Pancan.
