In Conversation: PanCAN Volunteer Leaders
PanCAN Affiliate Chairs from across the country met in Dallas in early October for the PanCAN Affiliate Forum, their first in-person gathering since the Covid pandemic began in 2020. Affiliate Chairs learned how their affiliates are impacting PanCAN’s 2030 goals, discussed how to reach audiences highly impacted by pancreatic cancer, heard from the Volunteer Advisory Council (VAC) and PanCAN leadership teams, and forged connections with fellow Affiliate Chairs.
The theme, “PanCAN in Action,” was woven through each session. VAC Co-chair Janice Griffin described the forum as the “ideal way to bring together passionate volunteer leaders from across the country to hear the message of PanCAN's goals for the future.”
The enthusiasm of volunteers was palpable throughout the event, with Delaware Affiliate volunteer Dorla Christie labeling it as a “10 out of 10 experience.” Another volunteer in attendance was survivor Noelle Gatlin from the Utah Affiliate, who relished the opportunity to connect with fellow volunteer leaders: “It’s awesome to see people from all over the country who've been in the fight and who've helped with the fight. It's not easy to fight pancreatic cancer. It was really cool to meet other people who know so much about it and are trying so hard to help other people get through. That's all I want to do.”
The weekend kicked off Friday night with an energetic networking session that engaged both new and veteran members of the volunteer community. After a heartfelt welcome from the VAC Co-chairs, PanCAN President and CEO Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, delivered a rousing speech on the key role of volunteers in reaching PanCAN’s bold 2030 goals: increase the 5-year pancreatic cancer survival rate to 20%, raise $80 million annually, and grow awareness of PanCAN in the U.S. to 30%. She then moderated a lively panel discussion with the leadership of PanCAN’s Community Engagement department.
Saturday was jam-packed with interactive and informative sessions, starting with an overview of each Community Engagement focus area: strong and thriving affiliates, community impact and awareness, and fundraising. Community Engagement staff and VAC members then led the first of a series of tabletop discussions between Affiliate Chairs. Affiliate Chairs participated in a training session on community organizing and mobilization, reviewed the health needs in their communities, and began setting goals and tracking progress on the key areas that feed into PanCAN’s 2030 goals. The Affiliate Forum concluded with an “Ask Me Anything” session with Community Engagement leadership.
After many hugs and reluctant goodbyes, volunteer leaders departed with renewed energy and inspiration to share with their affiliates. Dorla “left the Affiliate Forum feeling heard, fired up, and ready to crush” PanCAN’s 2030 goals, and Janice was reminded that volunteers “have the power to achieve PanCAN’s mission.”
In mid-October, Affiliate Chairs joined with all PanCAN volunteers at the virtual National Volunteer Summit to celebrate PanCAN’s 2023 accomplishments, including a record-breaking $34 million investment in research, almost 60,000 interactions with patients and caregivers through PanCAN Patient Services, and over $17 million in gross revenue from PanCAN PurpleStride. Volunteers also heard from Julie Fleshman and Community Engagement leadership about the crucial role they played in making these accomplishments happen and advancing PanCAN’s mission of improving the lives of everyone affected by pancreatic cancer.
The theme, “PanCAN in Action,” was woven through each session. VAC Co-chair Janice Griffin described the forum as the “ideal way to bring together passionate volunteer leaders from across the country to hear the message of PanCAN's goals for the future.”
The enthusiasm of volunteers was palpable throughout the event, with Delaware Affiliate volunteer Dorla Christie labeling it as a “10 out of 10 experience.” Another volunteer in attendance was survivor Noelle Gatlin from the Utah Affiliate, who relished the opportunity to connect with fellow volunteer leaders: “It’s awesome to see people from all over the country who've been in the fight and who've helped with the fight. It's not easy to fight pancreatic cancer. It was really cool to meet other people who know so much about it and are trying so hard to help other people get through. That's all I want to do.”
The weekend kicked off Friday night with an energetic networking session that engaged both new and veteran members of the volunteer community. After a heartfelt welcome from the VAC Co-chairs, PanCAN President and CEO Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, delivered a rousing speech on the key role of volunteers in reaching PanCAN’s bold 2030 goals: increase the 5-year pancreatic cancer survival rate to 20%, raise $80 million annually, and grow awareness of PanCAN in the U.S. to 30%. She then moderated a lively panel discussion with the leadership of PanCAN’s Community Engagement department.
Saturday was jam-packed with interactive and informative sessions, starting with an overview of each Community Engagement focus area: strong and thriving affiliates, community impact and awareness, and fundraising. Community Engagement staff and VAC members then led the first of a series of tabletop discussions between Affiliate Chairs. Affiliate Chairs participated in a training session on community organizing and mobilization, reviewed the health needs in their communities, and began setting goals and tracking progress on the key areas that feed into PanCAN’s 2030 goals. The Affiliate Forum concluded with an “Ask Me Anything” session with Community Engagement leadership.
After many hugs and reluctant goodbyes, volunteer leaders departed with renewed energy and inspiration to share with their affiliates. Dorla “left the Affiliate Forum feeling heard, fired up, and ready to crush” PanCAN’s 2030 goals, and Janice was reminded that volunteers “have the power to achieve PanCAN’s mission.”
In mid-October, Affiliate Chairs joined with all PanCAN volunteers at the virtual National Volunteer Summit to celebrate PanCAN’s 2023 accomplishments, including a record-breaking $34 million investment in research, almost 60,000 interactions with patients and caregivers through PanCAN Patient Services, and over $17 million in gross revenue from PanCAN PurpleStride. Volunteers also heard from Julie Fleshman and Community Engagement leadership about the crucial role they played in making these accomplishments happen and advancing PanCAN’s mission of improving the lives of everyone affected by pancreatic cancer.
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