This year marks the 10-year anniversary of David’s Daredevils, our PanCAN PurpleStride team that honors the legacy of my husband David Skelton, and the 10th anniversary of his loss. Our family signed up for our first PurpleStride because we felt helpless. We wanted to do something. We raised $13,000, we walked to increase awareness about the disease of pancreatic cancer, and we lost David four months later.

As I came out of the ashes, I found myself a widow raising two young children. I didn’t have much extra time, and yet l felt strongly that I wanted to do something to help, to honor David, and to allow my children to channel their sadness into something positive. I decided to focus on where I could help efficiently and effectively. I was organized, a good planner, and not afraid to ask for money. Leading our team, made up of the people who loved David, seemed like a logical place to start. I couldn’t do much. But I thought I could at least do that.

As it turns out, David’s Daredevils has been my something. In 10 years, we have raised over $385,000 for PanCAN. Each year, our team adds more families who have found themselves impacted by this disease. We now have a survivor in our ranks. A feat I would have never thought possible, and that gives me such unabashed joy. Collectively, we have become known as “the pancreatic cancer people” in our local community. Our ongoing engagement in PurpleStride makes us visible, and it makes it easier for people to feel comfortable to reach out when a friend or family member hears those words, “You have pancreatic cancer.” Those conversations are never easy, but they allow us to make sure that these new friends get connected with PanCAN Patient Services to access vital resources and information.

Most importantly, over the last decade, because of the focused efforts of PanCAN, we have seen the five-year survival rate increase from 5% to 12%. I cry happy tears every year that number increases. I know that with every increased survival percentage, there are hundreds of real families, just like ours, who now have real hope, and whose spouses, parents, siblings, or friends can be survivors. This is simply why we do something. Progress matters, and it is everything.