Washington D.C. Affiliate volunteers Charles Felder (PurpleStride Committee member) and Erinn Gales (Marketing Chair) spoke with Community Engagement Senior Specialist Paula Mukherjee about the benefits of volunteering together as a family. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Paula: What were the first steps that led you to PanCAN?

Charles: An internet search after my late wife Katie’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis. PanCAN came up and I called. Right away it felt like, “Hey, we’ve got you. We're going to get through this.” I was looking for help, looking for information, and the resources came pouring in.

Erinn: My aunt Katie and my uncle Charles were receiving support from PanCAN and planning to participate in PanCAN PurpleStride. After she passed, we decided to get involved, get a team going, and raise money.

Charles: It just so happened that the timing of Katie's passing was about a month before PurpleStride Washington D.C. I said, “Let's do this.”

After someone passes, the emotions are high. The money came pouring in because everybody was asking us to let them know if there was something that they could do. I said, “Here is something you can do.”

That first year we just participated in the walk. There was a large group of us at PurpleStride.

The second year, I thought, “I don't want that to have been just a one-time event.” We contacted our staff partner Anna Somers and that’s how we got involved. We fully intend to stay involved.

Paula: PanCAN’s mission is improving the lives of everyone affected by pancreatic cancer, and we do that by advancing scientific research, building community, sharing knowledge via PanCAN Patient Services, and pushing for increased federal funding. Is there an aspect of PanCAN’s work that is of particular interest to you?

Charles: The first thing that comes to mind are the resources available with PanCAN Patient Services. They offer a lot of information. It gives you a sense of hope to know there are people you can talk to for help. You can call and always get a friendly voice and someone with compassion and concern. I was very appreciative and had a very positive experience.

Erinn: Something that really speaks to me is advocating for pancreatic cancer patients because my aunt always advocated for others. Raising awareness of pancreatic cancer is also important to me.

Those aspects motivate me to be a part of PanCAN and to do whatever I can to advocate for those who have pancreatic cancer and to educate people about the symptoms and different ways that pancreatic cancer can show up.

Paula: How does it feel to take on this mission as a family?

Charles: It’s wonderful to see the level of care and commitment and see that Katie had such a lasting effect on all our family.

Erinn: It feels really good. I think it’s a testament to the resilience of our family. We want to continue my aunt's legacy by doing this together and being a part of something bigger than ourselves. It's a beautiful thing.

Paula: Is volunteering as a family something that you'd recommend to other families that have been impacted by pancreatic cancer?

Charles: Absolutely. If you're able, I highly recommend it. It gives you a sense of support, camaraderie, and unity.

Erinn: I would definitely recommend it to other families. Volunteering allows you to take the power back from the disease and process what you are going through as a family. You also know that you're helping other people too. When you're able to do that with your family, it brings a lot of joy.

Paula: Charles, you're a member of the PurpleStride Committee and Erinn, you’re the Marketing Chair. How did you decide on those roles?

Charles: My first thought was that I didn't want to do anything that involves a lot of leadership responsibilities. I retired from the military after 36 years. Right after I retired, Katie was diagnosed. I’m in the period of my life now where I just want to exhale.

Anna was awesome. She met me at my level.

I help with planning during PurpleStride Committee meetings. I provide input and insight. But when it's showtime, I want to stay in the background and fold T-shirts. I want to be there and contribute in my own way.

Erinn: I work in marketing at my full-time job, so I felt like it would be interesting. Outside of that, I am the type of person who always wants to share knowledge and educate others. Marketing is one of the ways that you do that – you can reach a different audience.

Pancreatic cancer disproportionately affects African American communities. As Marketing Chair, I want to make sure that all communities, but especially those that are hit hard by pancreatic cancer, know about pancreatic cancer and the signs and symptoms.

I would like to see the number of people dying from pancreatic cancer decrease through prevention and early detection. That’s what encouraged me to become the Marketing Chair.

Paula: You've participated in two PurpleStride events so far. What were the highlights?

Charles: Seeing the survivor tent. It is great to see that people can survive this and thrive. Also seeing the willingness of so many people to make this work. So many people put up their hands, roll up their sleeves, and do what they can to fight this horrible thing.

It is about coming together. It’s not just a walk, but a walk with a purpose.

It's fun. We had a great time. Both years we got together with family – cousins, uncles, and aunts. Friends from the Tidewater area down near Virginia Beach came. Everyone shows up.

It's a tribute to Katie and a way to help other folks who are getting through this journey. She had this large personality, and she would have been the one leading us if we had been participating in memory of someone else. I can almost sense her presence when the family gets together.

Erinn: The first one I did was in D.C., but this year, I was in Charlotte. I had to be there for the weekend and still wanted to participate in PurpleStride. I went with my best friend because we were both in Charlotte together. We didn’t know anyone, but I still felt the same love, support, and energy that I did at PurpleStride Washington D.C.
 
I really enjoyed it. D.C. is home to me, so that is always going to be a great experience. Going to a different city and participating in their PurpleStride really opened my eyes to see that this organization is everywhere and raising awareness across the country.

Paula: What is your strategy for fundraising?

Charles: Social media is the main way I keep PurpleStride at the forefront of people's minds. There's this big crescendo when a big event happens, and then it's over. I don't want to bombard people, but it’s a gentle reminder there are people out there who could use your help. I steer them up to this annual event with gentle nudges throughout the year.

Paula: What is your message for others who have been impacted by pancreatic cancer?

Erinn: Volunteering can be challenging because there are so many other priorities in life. I encourage everyone to keep going, even if it's in a small way, because just doing whatever you can is so important. This is a community effort. It’s a team effort. If everybody does their part, then we can forward the mission of PanCAN.

Charles: There's something for you to do at any level of volunteering. If you're the type of person who wants to be in the middle of it, taking charge, making decisions - there's a place for you. If you want to fold t-shirts on event day, there's a place for you. Get involved wherever you are.


Please feel free to contact Paula Mukherjee (pmukherjee@pancan.org) with any questions.