Stay up to date with all Pancreatic Cancer Action Network news.
In Conversation: Interview With Dorla Christie, PurpleStride Chair, Delaware Affiliate
Delaware PurpleStride Chair Dorla Christie spoke with Community Engagement Coordinator Paula Mukherjee about planning PanCAN PurpleStride 2023 – her first as Chair – and her hopes for the event. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Paula: What first brought you to PanCAN?
Dorla: I lost my father in January of 2016. It was quick; he was diagnosed in October and passed away in January. I was looking for something to do to fill that time, fill that void. I started Google searching different things. I don't even know how I came across PanCAN – I don't know if I was looking for walks? – but I found the organization and started reading up about it. July 2016, I came on out to PanCAN PurpleStride.
Paula: I'm very sorry to hear about your dad and I'm so glad you found us. You signed on as PurpleStride Chair relatively recently; what made you decide to take on this role?
Dorla: After being a part of the organization for several years, I decided I wanted to get more involved. I came out a couple of times to meetings and then Covid happened. When things started opening back up, I received an email from Affiliate Chair Lauren Annal about an affiliate meeting. I thought, “Let me just come on out to see what else I can do to help, besides showing up one time a year on walk day.” During the meeting Lauren mentioned that there were a couple of roles available. I’ve never done anything like this before, but why not toss my hat in the ring?
Paula: Let’s talk about PurpleStride Delaware 2023! What can you tell us about the plans so far?
Dorla: We are working on some exciting things for April 29. Right now, my focus is on my PurpleStride Kickoff – if you're available and in the area, please come on out! On February 24 from 6 - 9 p.m., we'll be at The Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille (Newark, DE). We're going to come up with a little gift for people who bring the most team members, as well as other giveaways.
Paula: What are your goals for PurpleStride?
Dorla: Getting our name out there more. I’m hoping that this year we can get back to the pre-pandemic days and bring the energy back that I remember and love so much. This will be the second in-person event after the pandemic, so I’m hoping everyone will feel more comfortable and come out to join us.
Paula: Are there any challenges that you've faced so far, or that you anticipate facing as we get closer to event day?
Dorla: My biggest challenge is also my goal for this year: getting people out to the event. I feel like I don't have that big of a network on my own, but I am working with Lauren, our Communications Chair Matt Wilson, staff partner Chastidee Davis-Wright, and Sponsorship Chair Ryan Hunter. We are kicking around ideas about how we can get people engaged.
Paula: What are you most looking forward to on event day?
Dorla: I’m looking forward to meeting and celebrating the survivors. This is going to be my first year as PurpleStride Chair, so I'm looking forward to engaging with them and hearing their stories. It's such a blessing to be able to meet people who have kicked this thing. So many people have been impacted, and some people perished so quickly, like my father.
Paula: As PurpleStride Chair you oversee a PurpleStride Committee and work closely with other members of your affiliate. How has that experience been going so far?
Dorla: It's been great! They’re always checking in with me, willing to help, and willing to show me things. The other night, Lauren and I got together at my home to get some things set up. I appreciate that, because I recognize that they're volunteers too; they have families, they have jobs. For them to take time out to make sure that I'm feeling comfortable in transitioning into the role – I really appreciate that.
Paula: Have you had a chance to connect with PurpleStride Chairs from other affiliates?
Dorla: I have been attending the monthly PurpleStride planning meetings, so I get a chance to interact with them when we have breakout sessions. A lot of times, we get a chance to chat and share encouragement. I listen to the creative ways that they're trying to engage their participants. That's been a good source.
Paula: What keeps you busy outside of PurpleStride?
Dorla: Working and spending time with my husband and family. We don’t have any children, so it’s just us. We enjoy entertaining and I enjoy baking and making chocolate treats. When I can, I help at my church by singing in the choir, praise dancing, or whatever anyone asks me to assist. We also love to travel!
Paula: What are some of your favorite travel destinations?
Dorla: I love Nashville. International travel: Italy. I really enjoyed Italy – I had some of the best stuffed cabbage I've ever had in my life! My husband is a huge Eagles fan, so we do a lot of road trips to games.
Paula: Is there any advice you would give to other people like you who are thinking about getting involved as a volunteer?
Dorla: I would definitely say to do it, to jump in. Since PurpleStride is a fully volunteer effort, if you want it to be a success, it has to start with you. If you're participating in a walk and you see things and think, “They probably should do this or they probably should do that,” guess what? If you join one of our meetings or take on a volunteer role, you will have an opportunity to make those things come to pass. We work together to make PurpleStride bigger and better every year.
Paula: I love that. You can make it be the experience that you want it to be.
Please feel free to contact Dorla Christie (dchristie@pancanvolunteer.org) or Paula Mukherjee (pmukherjee@pancan.org) with any questions.
Paula: What first brought you to PanCAN?
Dorla: I lost my father in January of 2016. It was quick; he was diagnosed in October and passed away in January. I was looking for something to do to fill that time, fill that void. I started Google searching different things. I don't even know how I came across PanCAN – I don't know if I was looking for walks? – but I found the organization and started reading up about it. July 2016, I came on out to PanCAN PurpleStride.
Paula: I'm very sorry to hear about your dad and I'm so glad you found us. You signed on as PurpleStride Chair relatively recently; what made you decide to take on this role?
Dorla: After being a part of the organization for several years, I decided I wanted to get more involved. I came out a couple of times to meetings and then Covid happened. When things started opening back up, I received an email from Affiliate Chair Lauren Annal about an affiliate meeting. I thought, “Let me just come on out to see what else I can do to help, besides showing up one time a year on walk day.” During the meeting Lauren mentioned that there were a couple of roles available. I’ve never done anything like this before, but why not toss my hat in the ring?
Paula: Let’s talk about PurpleStride Delaware 2023! What can you tell us about the plans so far?
Dorla: We are working on some exciting things for April 29. Right now, my focus is on my PurpleStride Kickoff – if you're available and in the area, please come on out! On February 24 from 6 - 9 p.m., we'll be at The Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille (Newark, DE). We're going to come up with a little gift for people who bring the most team members, as well as other giveaways.
Paula: What are your goals for PurpleStride?
Dorla: Getting our name out there more. I’m hoping that this year we can get back to the pre-pandemic days and bring the energy back that I remember and love so much. This will be the second in-person event after the pandemic, so I’m hoping everyone will feel more comfortable and come out to join us.
Paula: Are there any challenges that you've faced so far, or that you anticipate facing as we get closer to event day?
Dorla: My biggest challenge is also my goal for this year: getting people out to the event. I feel like I don't have that big of a network on my own, but I am working with Lauren, our Communications Chair Matt Wilson, staff partner Chastidee Davis-Wright, and Sponsorship Chair Ryan Hunter. We are kicking around ideas about how we can get people engaged.
Paula: What are you most looking forward to on event day?
Dorla: I’m looking forward to meeting and celebrating the survivors. This is going to be my first year as PurpleStride Chair, so I'm looking forward to engaging with them and hearing their stories. It's such a blessing to be able to meet people who have kicked this thing. So many people have been impacted, and some people perished so quickly, like my father.
Paula: As PurpleStride Chair you oversee a PurpleStride Committee and work closely with other members of your affiliate. How has that experience been going so far?
Dorla: It's been great! They’re always checking in with me, willing to help, and willing to show me things. The other night, Lauren and I got together at my home to get some things set up. I appreciate that, because I recognize that they're volunteers too; they have families, they have jobs. For them to take time out to make sure that I'm feeling comfortable in transitioning into the role – I really appreciate that.
Paula: Have you had a chance to connect with PurpleStride Chairs from other affiliates?
Dorla: I have been attending the monthly PurpleStride planning meetings, so I get a chance to interact with them when we have breakout sessions. A lot of times, we get a chance to chat and share encouragement. I listen to the creative ways that they're trying to engage their participants. That's been a good source.
Paula: What keeps you busy outside of PurpleStride?
Dorla: Working and spending time with my husband and family. We don’t have any children, so it’s just us. We enjoy entertaining and I enjoy baking and making chocolate treats. When I can, I help at my church by singing in the choir, praise dancing, or whatever anyone asks me to assist. We also love to travel!
Paula: What are some of your favorite travel destinations?
Dorla: I love Nashville. International travel: Italy. I really enjoyed Italy – I had some of the best stuffed cabbage I've ever had in my life! My husband is a huge Eagles fan, so we do a lot of road trips to games.
Paula: Is there any advice you would give to other people like you who are thinking about getting involved as a volunteer?
Dorla: I would definitely say to do it, to jump in. Since PurpleStride is a fully volunteer effort, if you want it to be a success, it has to start with you. If you're participating in a walk and you see things and think, “They probably should do this or they probably should do that,” guess what? If you join one of our meetings or take on a volunteer role, you will have an opportunity to make those things come to pass. We work together to make PurpleStride bigger and better every year.
Paula: I love that. You can make it be the experience that you want it to be.
Please feel free to contact Dorla Christie (dchristie@pancanvolunteer.org) or Paula Mukherjee (pmukherjee@pancan.org) with any questions.
