A Message of Gratitude from the Volunteer Advisory Council
As I write this – just a week before Thanksgiving and the official start of the holiday season – I find myself reflecting on the many moments, large and small, that have shaped this year. This year has been far from perfect – what year is? – but in the midst of the political and economic turmoil, personal challenges, and general unpredictability that define life in 2025, I am reminded of the many things for which I am thankful.
Chief among these is the fact that, against all odds, I am still here more than a decade after a diagnosis of stage IIIB pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. There are many reasons for that, including state-of-the-art medical care, an enormously supportive network of family and friends, and good luck. Then there are PanCAN’s relentless efforts in research and advocacy, which fueled the advances that allowed my medical team to help me beat the odds.
And you know what fuels PanCAN? You do. As we reach the end of the year, it is impossible not to reflect and give thanks for the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and energy of PanCAN volunteers. Given the legislative and economic challenges, this year has especially reminded us how transformative a group of committed people can be when they work together with purpose.
We are deeply grateful for the countless hours you have given, not because you had to, but because you chose to. You showed up – sometimes early in the morning, sometimes after long days, sometimes in moments when it would have been easier to stay home. You lent your hands, your time, your skills, and your heart. And every person served by PanCAN felt the impact of your commitment.
This year, your impact extended further than mere numbers can capture. There was compassion in the way you welcomed newcomers; patience in the way you guided those seeking support; and creativity in the ways you adapted to new challenges. Many of you stepped forward to take on unfamiliar tasks; others quietly filled in gaps whenever there was a need. Whether you volunteered once or weekly, chaired a PanCAN PurpleStride activity or worked behind the scenes, your contributions created a ripple of care that strengthened our entire community.
As members of the Volunteer Advisory Council, we see you, and we are enormously grateful not only for what you do, but for the spirit in which you do it. You embody generosity without expectation. You bring optimism into moments when hope is needed most. You build bridges – not only between PanCAN’s services and those in need of them, but also simply between one human being and another. These connections are at the heart of PanCAN’s mission to create a world in which all those affected by pancreatic cancer will thrive, and they are made possible because of you.
As we look toward the year ahead, we do so with gratitude as our foundation. We are inspired by what we have accomplished together and energized by the possibilities that lie ahead. Thank you for your commitment, your kindness, and the extraordinary example you set.
From all of us on the VAC, our deepest appreciation. May the coming year bring you joy, renewal, and the continued fulfillment that comes from lifting others up.
-Submitted by Sue Popik
Chief among these is the fact that, against all odds, I am still here more than a decade after a diagnosis of stage IIIB pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. There are many reasons for that, including state-of-the-art medical care, an enormously supportive network of family and friends, and good luck. Then there are PanCAN’s relentless efforts in research and advocacy, which fueled the advances that allowed my medical team to help me beat the odds.
And you know what fuels PanCAN? You do. As we reach the end of the year, it is impossible not to reflect and give thanks for the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and energy of PanCAN volunteers. Given the legislative and economic challenges, this year has especially reminded us how transformative a group of committed people can be when they work together with purpose.
We are deeply grateful for the countless hours you have given, not because you had to, but because you chose to. You showed up – sometimes early in the morning, sometimes after long days, sometimes in moments when it would have been easier to stay home. You lent your hands, your time, your skills, and your heart. And every person served by PanCAN felt the impact of your commitment.
This year, your impact extended further than mere numbers can capture. There was compassion in the way you welcomed newcomers; patience in the way you guided those seeking support; and creativity in the ways you adapted to new challenges. Many of you stepped forward to take on unfamiliar tasks; others quietly filled in gaps whenever there was a need. Whether you volunteered once or weekly, chaired a PanCAN PurpleStride activity or worked behind the scenes, your contributions created a ripple of care that strengthened our entire community.
As members of the Volunteer Advisory Council, we see you, and we are enormously grateful not only for what you do, but for the spirit in which you do it. You embody generosity without expectation. You bring optimism into moments when hope is needed most. You build bridges – not only between PanCAN’s services and those in need of them, but also simply between one human being and another. These connections are at the heart of PanCAN’s mission to create a world in which all those affected by pancreatic cancer will thrive, and they are made possible because of you.
As we look toward the year ahead, we do so with gratitude as our foundation. We are inspired by what we have accomplished together and energized by the possibilities that lie ahead. Thank you for your commitment, your kindness, and the extraordinary example you set.
From all of us on the VAC, our deepest appreciation. May the coming year bring you joy, renewal, and the continued fulfillment that comes from lifting others up.
-Submitted by Sue Popik
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