Exciting news
As long time readers of this blog can attest, I have something of “man-crush” on Randy Pausch. I do not know if I have ever told this story (can I blame my lack of memory on cancer-related dementia? I didn’t think so!), but early in my battle with pancreatic cancer, my sister (Marjorie) and I were talking.
Marjorie told me about this inspirational internet video she had seen of this college professor, who had been battling pancreatic cancer. So I searched the Internet and found, watched, and was amazed by the Last Lecture Randy Pausch delivered in September, 2007. After that, I found and read through his blog. I felt a kinship with Randy, as we were both much younger than average when we were diagnosed, we were both scientists, we both had a wife with a relatively young family. I remember writing an Email to him several times to let him know how much he had inspired me to get on with my life and try to do something to help support the fight against (and raise awareness of) pancreatic cancer.
As I have mentioned previously, a reader of the blog (Jeanne) contacted me about a foundation her husband started to raise money for pancreatic cancer research in honor of his mother (The Seena Magowitz Foundation). Through a series of steps, Jeanne mentioned me and my blog to Jai Pausch, Randy’s wife. Jai and I have corresponded somewhat over the last couple of months and I have to admit that every time we do correspond, I get this feeling of, “How cool is it that I am talking with Randy’s wife?” (If you’ve seen Julie and Julia, I sort of have that same sense of amazement that Julie Powell, the blogger in the movie, felt when she heard that Julia Childs had read her blog.)
So all of that is backstory for my news. Next month, I will be traveling to Washington DC for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s Advocacy Days. In association with Advocacy Days, PanCan will be holding a Purple Stride Walk to raise funds to support pancreatic cancer research. I had mentioned in an Email to Jai that I was planning to attend the Advocacy Days event and she invited me to join her on Team Pausch at the Purple Stride event. As silly as it sounds, I feel honored to join the team and I will be looking to my family and friends to help me raise money this year. I have a website dedicated for donations; please consider giving. The Last Purple Stride event I participated in, I was able to raise $3,500. I hope to raise as much, if not more.
Cheers,
Merle
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