In Conversation: Maria Ocampo, PurpleStride Chair, Miami Affiliate
Miami PurpleStride Chair Maria Ocampo spoke with Community Engagement Senior Specialist Paula Mukherjee about her passion for PanCAN’s mission and favorite memories from PanCAN PurpleStride. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Paula: How did you initially find PanCAN?
Maria: My family found PanCAN after my uncle passed away from pancreatic cancer. A family member sent us the link for PanCAN PurpleStride so that we could all join and honor my uncle together.
Paula: Is there an aspect of PanCAN’s work that you’re particularly passionate about?
Maria: Everything that PanCAN offers is amazing, but some of the work that I am really passionate about is building community and connecting patients with pancreatic cancer and caregivers to PanCAN Patient Services. Those are some of the most important things that we need to help bring more awareness to this awful disease.
Paula: What drew you to the role of PurpleStride Chair?
Maria: After my first PurpleStride I wanted to be more involved, so I signed up to learn more about volunteering with the Miami Affiliate. I got a call from Miami Affiliate Chair Nadine Aleman, and she explained different volunteer roles that were available. I also joined a Zoom call with staff partner Addie Flanagan. Once we started talking, I told her I was a teacher, and she suggested that I consider joining PurpleStride Chair Lindsay Barraza as a co-chair. It has been nothing short of amazing, and being a teacher really helps.
Paula: How would you describe PurpleStride to someone unfamiliar with the event?
Maria: PurpleStride is a day to bring awareness to pancreatic cancer. This is a horrible disease that people often do not know about unless they have first-hand experience of the loss of a loved one. It is a day where we come together as a community to remember those who fought so hard and celebrate those who are currently battling cancer.
Paula: What’s your favorite PurpleStride memory?
Maria: My favorite memories are from the most recent PurpleStride that happened in April. It was at a new park, and we were so nervous as to how it would turn out.
It ended up being one of the best events in the last few years. It felt so cozy and homey, everyone enjoyed it, and our sponsors made it even more magical. Hearing from our amazing doctors and survivors made it even better.
I cannot wait to continue making memories with this amazing group of people who volunteer day in and day out to make sure we have a successful outcome. I want to bring more people to the event and spread more awareness about pancreatic cancer.
Paula: How have your experiences working with other affiliate volunteers, event day volunteers and community members been?
Maria: My experience has been nothing but phenomenal. Everyone was so welcoming and loving when I joined. We are there to support each other and work together to make all our events amazing. Lindsay, my PurpleStride co-chair, is an absolutely amazing partner and I love working with her. The rest of our team always shows up and delivers when we need them.
Paula: How has being a PanCAN volunteer impacted your life? Would you recommend it to others?
Maria: I joined PanCAN to make sure that my uncle’s legacy continues and that I can help as many people as possible. Being a PanCAN volunteer has impacted my life in such amazing ways.
I have been able to meet such magnificent people who share my goal to spread awareness about pancreatic cancer and find a cure for this awful disease. Volunteering has allowed me to be at events and meet people who will serve and help in any way possible.
I would recommend that other people who have been affected by pancreatic cancer contact their local affiliate and find out ways that they can help. Get involved!
Paula: What keeps you busy outside of your volunteer work with PanCAN?
Maria: I am a fourth-grade teacher. I love being with my students and helping them grow every day.
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and traveling to different places around the world.
Cooking is also a hobby that I love. Creating new recipes helps manage my stress. If you ever see me cooking at 9 or 10 p.m., you know I’ve had a long stressful day, and I am ready to create some amazing food!
Paula: How did you initially find PanCAN?
Maria: My family found PanCAN after my uncle passed away from pancreatic cancer. A family member sent us the link for PanCAN PurpleStride so that we could all join and honor my uncle together.
Paula: Is there an aspect of PanCAN’s work that you’re particularly passionate about?
Maria: Everything that PanCAN offers is amazing, but some of the work that I am really passionate about is building community and connecting patients with pancreatic cancer and caregivers to PanCAN Patient Services. Those are some of the most important things that we need to help bring more awareness to this awful disease.
Paula: What drew you to the role of PurpleStride Chair?
Maria: After my first PurpleStride I wanted to be more involved, so I signed up to learn more about volunteering with the Miami Affiliate. I got a call from Miami Affiliate Chair Nadine Aleman, and she explained different volunteer roles that were available. I also joined a Zoom call with staff partner Addie Flanagan. Once we started talking, I told her I was a teacher, and she suggested that I consider joining PurpleStride Chair Lindsay Barraza as a co-chair. It has been nothing short of amazing, and being a teacher really helps.
Paula: How would you describe PurpleStride to someone unfamiliar with the event?
Maria: PurpleStride is a day to bring awareness to pancreatic cancer. This is a horrible disease that people often do not know about unless they have first-hand experience of the loss of a loved one. It is a day where we come together as a community to remember those who fought so hard and celebrate those who are currently battling cancer.
Paula: What’s your favorite PurpleStride memory?
Maria: My favorite memories are from the most recent PurpleStride that happened in April. It was at a new park, and we were so nervous as to how it would turn out.
It ended up being one of the best events in the last few years. It felt so cozy and homey, everyone enjoyed it, and our sponsors made it even more magical. Hearing from our amazing doctors and survivors made it even better.
I cannot wait to continue making memories with this amazing group of people who volunteer day in and day out to make sure we have a successful outcome. I want to bring more people to the event and spread more awareness about pancreatic cancer.
Paula: How have your experiences working with other affiliate volunteers, event day volunteers and community members been?
Maria: My experience has been nothing but phenomenal. Everyone was so welcoming and loving when I joined. We are there to support each other and work together to make all our events amazing. Lindsay, my PurpleStride co-chair, is an absolutely amazing partner and I love working with her. The rest of our team always shows up and delivers when we need them.
Paula: How has being a PanCAN volunteer impacted your life? Would you recommend it to others?
Maria: I joined PanCAN to make sure that my uncle’s legacy continues and that I can help as many people as possible. Being a PanCAN volunteer has impacted my life in such amazing ways.
I have been able to meet such magnificent people who share my goal to spread awareness about pancreatic cancer and find a cure for this awful disease. Volunteering has allowed me to be at events and meet people who will serve and help in any way possible.
I would recommend that other people who have been affected by pancreatic cancer contact their local affiliate and find out ways that they can help. Get involved!
Paula: What keeps you busy outside of your volunteer work with PanCAN?
Maria: I am a fourth-grade teacher. I love being with my students and helping them grow every day.
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and traveling to different places around the world.
Cooking is also a hobby that I love. Creating new recipes helps manage my stress. If you ever see me cooking at 9 or 10 p.m., you know I’ve had a long stressful day, and I am ready to create some amazing food!
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