Project Purple Podcast

In this heartfelt episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli sits down with Mark Wade, a stage III pancreatic cancer survivor, to share his deeply personal journey from diagnosis to remission. Mark opens up about the shock of his diagnosis in April 2021, the whirlwind of chemotherapy and radiation, and undergoing a Whipple procedure later that year. Mark reflects on the emotional toll of treatment and the unexpected challenges that came after, including anxiety and the difficulty of adjusting to life post-treatment. He shares how therapy helped him process his experience and why he believes in the importance of speaking honestly about mental health during and after cancer. Throughout the conversation, Mark also discusses the impact of his diagnosis on his career in education and the powerful support he received from colleagues, friends, and his wife. His story is one of vulnerability, resilience, and the ongoing work of healing—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more powerful stories from the pancreatic cancer community. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

In this fascinating episode of the Project Purple Podcast, CEO & Founder Dino Verrelli welcomes Dr. Cosimo Commisso, interim director and deputy director of the NCI-designated Cancer Center at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. A leader in cancer metabolism research, Dr. Commisso shares groundbreaking insights into how pancreatic cancer cells survive and thrive—and what that means for future treatments. Dr. Commisso breaks down the complex science behind tumor microenvironments, metabolic vulnerabilities, and the latest advances in targeting pancreatic cancer at a cellular level. He also discusses the challenges researchers face, the hope emerging from new studies, and why funding for this research is more critical than ever. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, advocate, or science enthusiast, this episode delivers a powerful look at the cutting edge of pancreatic cancer research and the fight for better treatments. Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more inspiring stories. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

In this powerful episode of the Project Purple Podcast, founder & CEO Dino Verrelli sits down with nine-year pancreatic cancer survivor Larry Young, a former MLB umpire who became Umpire Supervisor. From making split-second calls on the field to facing the toughest battle of his life, Larry shares his journey from diagnosis to today emphasizing the importance of early detection, perseverance, and support. Larry discusses the moment he knew something was wrong, his grueling treatment process, and the life-changing impact of family and faith. He also shares insights from his work with other survivors and his hope for the future of pancreatic cancer treatment. Whether you're a baseball fan, a cancer warrior, or someone looking for inspiration, Larry's story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of never giving up. Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more inspiring stories. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

In this inspiring episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli sits down with pancreatic cancer survivor and advocate Elise Roth Tedeschi. Diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in 2012, Elise shares her incredible journey of perseverance, faith, and advocacy that defied all odds. From the early misdiagnoses to groundbreaking treatments and her unwavering determination to remain positive, Elise's story is one of resilience and hope. Listen as Elise discusses the importance of being your own advocate, the role of mindset and faith in her survival, and the powerful support she received from her community. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or advocate, this episode is packed with insights and encouragement for anyone navigating the challenges of pancreatic cancer. Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more stories of inspiration and awareness. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To learn more about Elise, follow her pancreatic cancer advocacy Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/stageivcancersurvivor/ or add her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliserothtedeschi/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

In this compelling episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli sits down with Alice Frati, a resilient pancreatic cancer survivor, to discuss her journey. From the initial signs of illness in 2019 to her groundbreaking surgery and ongoing recovery, Alice shares the emotional and physical challenges she faced, including navigating treatment during the pandemic and adapting to life-changing medical procedures. She highlights the importance of advocacy, the power of community, and her determination to thrive despite adversity. This episode is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the value of support systems in overcoming life's toughest battles. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Tricia Hanna, a stenographer and ultrasound technologist whose own expertise played a pivotal role in her pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Tricia shares her incredible journey, which began in 2021 when she was demonstrating an ultrasound for a student and discovered uterine abnormalities. This led to additional monitoring and testing, during which her CA-19 markers tripled which was cause for alarm. Initially thought to be a splenic rest, her condition was discovered to be pancreatic cancer through a biopsy, leading to a distal pancreatectomy and the removal of her spleen in October 2023. During surgery, it was discovered that her cancer had spread to two of 13 lymph nodes, classifying it as Stage 2b pancreatic cancer. Tricia opens up about the complications she faced during recovery, the impact of her professional background on her approach to her diagnosis and treatment, and the importance of early detection—especially since she experienced no symptoms at all. After finishing chemotherapy in June, she underwent genetic testing to further understand her health journey. Join us for this candid conversation about resilience, the power of early detection, and how Tricia's experience underscores the importance of advocacy in healthcare. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Tina Lucci from Allentown, Pennsylvania. She is a special education teacher and a mother of two boys. Tina is a survivor of pancreatic cancer, having been diagnosed during the holiday season of 2019. She first felt unwell at work, so she went to the emergency room. Her diagnosis was a shock, as she had no family history of pancreatic cancer and was a mother of two young boys. Tina chose not to share her diagnosis with her loved ones initially, preferring only her immediate family to know, especially since it was the holiday season. She felt ashamed and like she had somehow brought the cancer upon herself. Tina started chemotherapy treatment but had allergic reactions, such as swelling of her tongue, and had to switch to a different regimen. She traveled from Allentown to Philadelphia to Fox Chase Cancer Center for her treatments. However, her local hospital's oncology department also provided treatment closer to her home. To date, she has undergone over 70 chemotherapy treatments and counting, and has also had radiation therapy. Chemo has been effective for her during her nearly 5-year journey. She was scheduled to undergo an Appleby procedure, but the cancer had spread to her liver, leading to the cancellation of the surgery. After spending four days in the hospital, she continued chemotherapy to keep her tumor stable. Tina has become an advocate for herself and feels that chemotherapy is the best way to extend her time with her family rather than putting herself through a risky surgery. Tina describes how cancer has made her softer and more gentle. She finds herself letting minor annoyances go and living life more fully. She takes every opportunity to spend quality time with her sisters and friends. Overall, Tina is making the most of her experience with cancer, referring to it as her "prison time." She feels that she is serving time with this disease but is making the best of it. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. Tina welcomes emails at tlucci@gmail.com To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Doug “Censor” Martin, from Long Island. Doug is well-known online for his gaming expertise. He has competed in esports championships and shares gaming content on YouTube and social media. Doug also discusses his interest in fitness and how he established himself as a gamer with a fitness lifestyle, which he felt made him stand out in the gaming community. By sharing his life online, Doug found himself in many people's dream job: getting paid to play video games. During this time, he was also focusing heavily on his fitness goals. However, he felt that the people and habits around him were compromising his mental health. Doug explains that he went through a transformative period as he dealt with negative feedback and criticism online, especially after being open about the end of his relationship. This experience led him to reassess his online persona and prioritize maintaining his authenticity and high standards for his content. Doug describes his passion for self-improvement and his desire to always exceed expectations. He set his sights on breaking the world record for the most pull-ups in 24 hours. He underwent a grueling training cycle that tested both his physical and mental strengths, a long 16 months of it. Despite enduring significant pain and mental strain, he remained focused on achieving his goal. Recently, he successfully broke the record. He credits his success in doing so to the support and motivation of his coach, Jackson. Doug dedicated his record-breaking journey to Project Purple, raising awareness and nearly $10k for pancreatic cancer research and patient aid. He shares that he lost his grandmother to pancreatic cancer when he was young. He aimed to use his platform to raise awareness about the disease and encourage others to be selfless. Doug invites others to pursue their own goals, whether that involves breaking a world record or simply making a positive impact on the world. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you'd like to follow Doug's social media, he can be found at @censor on all platforms. To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Meg Barber. She is the head women's basketball coach at NYU. Meg played basketball at NYU and has built an impressive coaching resume, having coached at D1 and D2 schools before returning to NYU. Meg has run the NYC marathon several times as a charity partner with Project Purple. Meg discusses her coaching philosophy and how her approach has fostered a strong team dynamic, which she calls a sisterhood. She explains that her bond with the team goes beyond basketball and shares what she looks for when recruiting team members. Last season, she and her team went undefeated at 31-0 and won the championship for their division. Meg reflects on this achievement and emphasizes her sense of belonging as the head coach at NYU. Her passion for basketball comes from her father, who was her first coach and introduced her to the sport. She shares memories of his support and recalls the day she told him she got the job at NYU. She always feels his presence on the court, even after his passing. She lost her father to pancreatic cancer. Meg and Dino discuss the state of women's basketball and women's sports, highlighting the increased media attention and public interest. Meg shares the impact on the sports industry and society and discusses the significance of young girls seeing women's professional sports being televised, something she did not experience growing up as a female athlete. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. Follow the NYU Women's basketball team on Instagram, instagram.com/nyuwomenshoops To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Chris was an athlete through high school and college. He was a track and field runner and landed a fellowship and later a job at Sports Illustrated. Chris speaks to the experience he gained working at a media company. After some time at Sports Illustrated, he realized there was little coverage of what he was most passionate about, running and track and field. This is where his interest was and he wanted to start a media company that focused on this niche of the sports industry. Dino met Chris through their mutual community of running at the Chicago marathon. Chris shares insight on how having both the running background and his time as a sports journalist has allowed him to improve his storytelling and better connect with the athletes he is featuring. He talks about the difference in working for a large media company versus trying to build up his own publication for the niche topic of running. Chris shares his experience covering major marathons and the Olympics. He discusses the lack of public interest in track and field media after the buzz of the Olympics dies down. He talks about the challenge of trying to keep that audience engaged with the running content post-Olympics and points out how mainstream media companies do not continue coverage of these incredible record-breaking athletes. Chris reveals that the mission of his magazine is to keep these athletes in the spotlight year-round like any other sports competitors. Dino asks Chris about Citius's future and how he will scoop out the next stars in the world of track and field competition. He explains how he covers championships and stays up to date with athletes in high school and college who go on to compete professionally. Chris explains his goal is to target high school and college students who compete or have competed at their respective levels and who have more interest in keeping up with their counterparts who are breaking records or making it to higher-stakes competitions. He explains there is a level of relatability in this demographic and therefore are more engaged with the content he is putting out. Chris believes in targeting an everyday runner such as a marathon runner, as they are doing it for a personal goal and not necessarily competitively. Tune into this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about Chris and his effort to expand his media company and about the world of track and field. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. Visit his magazine's website for more about his media company and to stay up to date with all things running: citiusmag.com/ Follow Citius Magazine on social media: @CitiusMag To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Sam Constantino of upstate New York. Sam and Dino have a long history together, both are very close with each other's families. Like Dino, Sam also lost his father to pancreatic cancer. His father was diagnosed right around the time of Sam's diagnosis. Sam lost his father only 18 days after his own diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Doctors said his father's tumor was too large and at that stage in his life, he was unable even to treat the cancerous tumor. During his diagnosis, he was also mourning his father. He explains the emotional toll the family had to take during this time and the values they strive to adhere to to get through this hard time. Sam relies heavily on faith and quality loving time with his family after this life-changing experience with cancer. Sam has always been an active and athletic person. From childhood, he was always involved in sports and athletic competitions and maintained a healthy lifestyle. He credits his lifestyle choices and athleticism for keeping him well as long as he has been considering he was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer on November 3rd, 2022. He also shares his perspective as a former athlete, connecting his time as an athlete to fighting pancreatic cancer. Sam shares a lot about how a positive mindset and staying active helped through his journey and kept him motivated in his post-cancer life. He stresses “moving forward”, and highlights the importance of laughing at yourself and spending quality time with loved ones. Join us for this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast Sam's inspiring story! If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you'd like to connect with Sam, he welcomes emails at samcon87892@gmail.com You can also become a member of the “SamStong” Facebook Group to keep up with Sam's journey at this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/723595379129298 To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Dino speaks with running coach Ryan Welsh, our endurance coach, to prepare runners for the upcoming marathon season. Ryan shared some advice for those who are training for the races that are just weeks away, now that we are in September. They discussed the "dos and don'ts" of training, which they stress are especially important to stick with at this point of the training cycle. Ryan emphasizes how important it is to stick with the habits that brought you to this peak moment in the training cycle, such as maintaining recovery days and listening to your body. Ryan and Dino shared their insights as runners and discussed what to expect on race day. Ryan covered everything from footwear to nutrition and stressed having a race weekend itinerary for those traveling into the marathon destinations. Ryan also spoke on the nervousness and anxiety that runners may face as these big marathons approach and emphasized embracing those feelings and appreciating them as “good stress” and provided some other motivating insights. Ryan also shares about the run club he hosts with his wife in northern New Jersey and the community they have built around running. You can tune in to this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about training for a marathon or if you're interested in learning what it takes for our committed runners to run 26.2 miles. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. Visit Ryan's run club page at instagram.com/redbankrunclub Follow his instagram account for his coaching content: instagram.com/rwelsh_coaching Contact Ryan for running related inquiries rwelsh12@gmail.com To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Jaclyn Lin of Northern New Jersey. At 35, she was expecting her second daughter. However, she began experiencing extreme back pains and abdominal discomfort at around week 20 of her pregnancy. When she brought these symptoms to the attention of her OB during a routine visit, further testing was recommended due to the severe and persistent nature of her pain. Doctors initially hesitated to perform scans or invasive testing due to the risks involved in pregnancy. Despite this, Jackie advocated for herself and, after discussions with her doctors, decided to undergo the necessary scans and a biopsy. However, on the day of the scheduled biopsy, doctors deemed her too vulnerable due to her pregnancy. Further tests revealed that Jackie's liver was severely enlarged, causing discomfort. She also noticed increased movement from her unborn baby, suspecting it was due to the limited space caused by her enlarged liver. Additionally, a mass was found at the tail of her pancreas, although it was not yet confirmed to be cancerous. As a result of the situation, doctors decided that Jackie needed to deliver her baby prematurely in order to proceed with the biopsy of the pancreatic mass. Her daughter was born on August 21st, 2023, and had to be admitted to the NICU. A week later, Jackie received her diagnosis and began treatment on September 3rd, 2023. Since then, Jackie has undergone 26 cycles of chemotherapy and has had a positive response to the treatments. Her liver has returned to its normal healthy size. Reflecting on her journey, Jackie acknowledges the immense pressure and challenge of balancing chemotherapy and fighting stage 4 pancreatic cancer while caring for a newborn and a toddler at home. She expresses her gratitude for the support she and her husband received from her family, who stepped in to help care for her children during this challenging time. Jackie continues to be screened every three months to monitor her condition, and she is still undergoing treatment as a palliative measure. Despite the challenges, she views her diagnosis as a blessing in disguise, as it has allowed her to strengthen her family bonds. She continues to navigate being a mom of young children while managing her health, taking things one step at a time according to her scans. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you would like to connect with Jackie, she welcomes emails at jmhayes3@gmail.com You can also connect with Jackie via Instagram at instagram.com/jaclynlin514 or on Facebook “Jaclyn Marie” To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

In this episode of the Project Purple Podcast, Vin, the program manager of our endurance teams, expresses his excitement for the upcoming marathon season. He shares that he will be attending the Berlin Marathon for the first time and reveals what it means to be cheering on all of the runners. He speaks to the evolution of the run teams and endurance programs and reveals his perspective as he is going on seven years with Project Purple as of the end of this month. Vin shares his favorite memories in Chicago, as it was the first marathon he attended when he started at Project Purple and one that he would later run himself. He and Dino also discuss the statistics of the races and reveal upcoming races that Project Purple will have teams at, including some from past years but also many new opportunities to run for Project Purple! They also highlight alumni and runners who have made their mark on Project Purple and talk about some moments they cherish from past marathons. Dino teases November events and announces that 2025 will mark the 15th anniversary of Project Purple! Tune in to this week's episode to learn more about what Project Purple has in the works! If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Holly Shawyer, a teacher who is originally from Maryland and now living in Charleston, South Carolina. She made a big move away from her family. Not long after moving, she began experiencing stabbing pain in her abdomen, accompanied by radiating left shoulder pain. Despite initially dismissing the symptoms as nothing to be concerned about, the symptoms returned one day at work, prompting her to seek medical attention. Holly, a 35-year-old avid runner in good health before her diagnosis, had researched her symptoms online and suspected stomach ulcers. However, after being prescribed medication for ulcers and referred to a gastroenterologist for a follow-up, she hesitated due to concerns about her health insurance. When her pain persisted, she insisted on having scans, which revealed a large cyst on her pancreas. Although initially thought to be benign by doctors, further scans identified a pre-cancerous nodule. She knew about pancreatic cancer from reading and understood the urgency of addressing it. Three months later, doctors recommended more testing, but she pushed for earlier testing because the pain was affecting her marathon training. Running was important to Holly not just for physical health but also for mental well-being as someone who suffers from anxiety. Holly began documenting her marathon training on TikTok and found a niche community of runners to support her through her training. Upon her diagnosis, she shared this part of her life with them despite her tendency to be a private person. She found support and an outlet for sharing her journey through TikTok videos. She also speaks about her heavy reliance on her faith through her journey and how her past life experiences helped her develop coping skills that she implemented to keep moving forward through it all. She underwent a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy in December 2023. The procedure successfully removed a cancerous cyst along with the spleen, indicating stage 1 pancreatic cancer. This was followed by six months of chemotherapy while she continued working as a full-time teacher. She reflects on how exhausting it was for her to balance work and treatments, the lack of sick leave offered as a teacher, and the enduring side effects. Holly finished her last treatments in June and was told she was in remission on July 19th, 2024. Despite the immense physical and mental toll, Holly pushed through chemo's side effects and fatigue, juggling work and treatment. She also opens up about the lack of support for cancer survivors and the challenges she faced as a teacher with limited medical leave. Even after completing chemo, she still deals with lasting side effects that affect her running and teaching. As she prepares for a new school year, Holly looks forward to starting fresh and being cancer-free while acknowledging the positives that came out of her journey with cancer. Join us for this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about Holly's story! If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. Follow Holly on TikTok to keep up with her running and advocacy content: tiktok.com/@hshawyer To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Dr. Peter Allen, of Duke University. Dr. Allen is a cancer surgeon who specializes in treating patients with pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions of the pancreas, liver, bile ducts, stomach, and adrenal glands. He worked as a surgical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York for 13 years before joining Duke University. He now serves as the chief of surgical oncology for Duke Health. The experienced doctor discusses the difficulties of treating pancreatic cancer and explains the differences in the work he is doing at Duke in hopes of revolutionizing pancreatic cancer patient options and goes on to compare the work he did during his time at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Allen expresses his appreciation for the greater variety of expertise the school offers and the refreshing atmosphere of being able to mentor the next generation of surgical oncologists. He also has treated many pancreatic cancer patients in our Project Purple community, including a long-time friend of the organization, Jim Pantelidis. Dr. Allen discusses his relationship with Jimmy. Unfortunately, Jim passed away in April of 2023. In his memory, the Pantelidis Family Research Fund was established. The $150,000 grant has been awarded to Dr. Allen over two years to investigate intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and pre-cancerous cysts. He and Dino discuss the recent groundbreaking discoveries in pancreatic cancer and cancer in general, and Dr. Allen provides his own personal predictions for the future of detecting and preventing pancreatic cancer. He also discusses the vaccinations that are becoming more available in the cancer space. Join us for this exciting and reassuring episode of the Project Purple Podcast. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. For more on the momentous work being done at Duke University Cancer Institute, visit this site: https://www.dukepcrl.com/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Carlos "Charlie" Morales of El Paso, Texas. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January of this year. Charlie shares the challenges he faced in getting a diagnosis and the difficulties he encountered afterward. Charlie began feeling ill in September of 2023, experiencing severe stomach aches and pains after eating. His inability to eat caused him to lose 80 pounds from September to November of 2023. When he visited the local emergency department, the only cause for concern was that his lipase numbers were elevated. Despite his worsening condition, he was referred to a specialist, but the appointment was months away. As Charlie's condition continued to deteriorate, he had more blood work done, which showed further elevation in his lipase count. Concerned about his health, he paid out of pocket for scans, which eventually led to the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Following his diagnosis, Charlie faced additional challenges related to his digestive system. To relieve his pain and maintain a healthy weight, he underwent the installation of a biliary drainage catheter in his bile duct to drain bile from his liver. However, the tube caused numerous issues, including infection, sepsis, and the need for repositioning several times. Charlie also had to have a urine catheter and an arm tube installed to flush harmful toxins resulting from the mishaps with the bile tube. Despite these challenges, Charlie finds motivation in his family and remains optimistic. He views pancreatic cancer as another obstacle that he will overcome, drawing strength from overcoming difficult experiences in his life, such as being bullied as a child and coping with the loss of his first infant child. Join us for this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast to hear Charlie's inspiring and motivating outlook on battling pancreatic cancer. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you'd like to donate to Charlie's GoFundMe, visit this link: https://gofund.me/aea660ae To email Charlie directly, he welcomes emails at charlie61cuba@gmail.com To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

In 2024, we launched Project Purple Sports to create team activities that support our mission of a world without pancreatic cancer. Our initial focus was on streaming and reporting on local sports to raise awareness and connect sports with Project Purple. We started at Seymour High School, where we streamed basketball and softball games for the Seymour Wildcats. With the school year wrapped up, and the 2024 Olympics in full swing, we wanted to take all of the highlights from the sports we covered to compile them in this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast. These are the Top 10 Moments from this past school year, we hope you enjoy our list and if you are interested in getting involved in Project Purple Sports, we discuss how you can get involved in the episode. We also tease upcoming collaboration for the upcoming school year for more Project Purple Sports content! If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you are interested in becoming involved in our Project Purple Sport Streaming or to partake in a team activity, visit: https://www.projectpurple.org/teamactivities/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectPurpleSports

Meet Dr. Paul Grippo, an Associate Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in the Chicago area. Dr. Grippo has been awarded the Rick Carone Pancreatic Cancer Research Grant by Project Purple. This grant is given annually to honor Rick Carone, a late member of the Project Purple family who was a runner and athlete in Illinois. After completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Grippo pursued a master's degree in biochemistry and focused on researching pancreatic cancer during his graduate school experience. He continued this research throughout his PhD program and has dedicated nearly 30 years to studying pancreatic cancer. Dr. Grippo believes that his path into pancreatic cancer research was driven by a divine force. He emphasizes the importance of passion, skillset, and opportunity in his field, and for him, pancreatic cancer research fulfills all of these criteria. x Dr. Grippo discusses some of the recent studies conducted by his team, focusing on how they can potentially identify dietary causes of pancreatic cancer and diets that could benefit pancreatic cancer patients. He also elaborates on newer methods of creating pancreatic cancer models to more accurately study the disease. Additionally, Dr. Grippo and his colleagues have been examining data from stool studies to gain insights into the body's healthy waste disposal. Furthermore, he mentions recent studies that suggest stress may be as significant as dietary factors in cancer. Tune in to the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about the grant and the groundbreaking research Dr. Grippo has conducted to support the mission of eradicating pancreatic cancer. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. For more on Dr. Grippo and the work he does at the University of Illinois Cancer Center, visit this site: cancer.uillinois.edu/member/paul-grippo-phd/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Dr. Emily Britton of Bristol, UK. She is currently undergoing advanced training in surgery at Bristol University, focusing on diseases of the pancreas and liver, including pancreatic cancer. Dr. Britton reveals that her initial interest in the medical field was due to her family's history of breast cancer. However, as she progressed through medical school and training, she developed a strong passion for treating pancreatic and liver conditions. She gives insight into the standard of care in the UK public healthcare system, highlighting its pros and cons. Dr. Britton emphasizes the uniqueness of each patient's case, advocating for individualized treatment. She also discusses the healthcare system's tendency to be slow to adopt new and innovative medical techniques and medications due to standard care protocols. Dr. Britton expresses the rewarding nature of working in this medical space, particularly in finding treatments for complex and challenging organs. She and Dino delve into the advancements made in the pancreatic cancer field by clinicians like herself, as well as the future of the space. Join us for this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast to gain insight into the U.K.'s healthcare system as well as perspective from a clinician on the front lines of pancreatic cancer. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you'd like to connect with Dr. Britton, you can follow her on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/emilyjbritton You can also email her directly at emily.britton@bristol.ac.uk To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Dan McNamee, who is originally from Cleveland but now resides in beautiful Paris. He was going about his life, starting a new family with his wife when he started experiencing pain in his left leg. This led him to visit the emergency department, where they discovered a blood clot. Further testing revealed a tumor on Daniel's pancreas. Although he was living in Paris at the time, he wanted to be with his family, especially since all of his siblings have careers in the medical world. He decided to undergo treatment in his hometown of Cleveland, where he and his young family lived with his mother and had the support of his family. He discussed the importance of having that support system during his treatment, recalling the times people around him stepped up to care for his children. He also credited his sister with helping him find the clinical trials that ultimately helped him beat pancreatic cancer. Daniel was able to receive clinical trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City, so he commuted from both Ohio and later Paris to receive his clinical trial medications. Daniel also discussed the differences between the two different healthcare systems he dealt with during his battle with pancreatic cancer. Living in Paris upon diagnosis and then coming back to the U.S., he noticed the significant increases in the prices of medications and the improved access to clinical trials and newer methods of treatment. He has a unique perspective on the healthcare side of things. During a stay at a hotel in New York City for his treatment, he was in town during the New York City Marathon, where he ran into people in purple singlets, Project Purple runners. He asked them about their cause and was surprised to learn of the organization as he was currently battling pancreatic cancer. He decided to run as part of Project Purple's NYC Marathon team after he completed his treatments. As of a month ago, he received news that he was in complete remission, with clean scans a year after stopping all treatments. He discussed his choice to run for Project Purple and his training cycle as someone who is not a seasoned marathon competitor. Join us for this optimistic and informative episode of the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about Dan's fight against pancreatic cancer. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To connect with Daniel, you can follow him on Instagram: instagram.com/danmcnamee1 Or you could reach out to him directly via email: danmcnamee@gmail.com To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Kimberly Brockman is a 57-year-old pancreatic cancer survivor from Iowa. She had a history of preventative care, including a breast lumpectomy in her thirties and keeping up with regular screenings due to her family's extensive history of cancer. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, she experienced symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, heartburn, and bowel issues, but felt her symptoms were being put on hold due to overwhelmed medical facilities. With her background in oncology, she sought medical attention and was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus. Her genetic test results revealed that she had Lynch Syndrome, specifically MSH2 and MHS6, which prompted further preventative measures including a hysterectomy and regular scans. During one of these scans, an irregular signal led to the discovery of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Despite the grim diagnosis, Kimberly's mother, who also had the same genetic mutation, had overcome inoperable pancreatic cancer and was in remission for nearly a decade at the time of Kimberly's diagnosis. Kimberly underwent immunotherapy and folfirinox chemotherapy simultaneously, responding well to the treatment. When it came time to undergo the Whipple Procedure, Kimberly's doctors found that her tumor had disappeared, and she instead underwent a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy procedure. Additional treatment followed, leading to her being declared cancer-free as of this past April. In an episode, Kimberly discusses her experience with Lynch Syndrome and stresses the importance of advocacy and understanding genetic risk factors. She credits her positive outlook and the support from her mother's experience as significant factors in overcoming pancreatic cancer. Join us for this episode of the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about genetics and the power of a positive mindset while battling pancreatic cancer. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. Connect with Kimberly on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barefoot.boutiki To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZ

Camille Moses, originally from New York but now residing in Florida, is a stage 4 pancreatic cancer survivor who was diagnosed nearly 12 years ago. Camille was diagnosed in July 2012 at the age of 53. She led an active lifestyle, often taking her three large dogs hiking, walking, and swimming. Despite experiencing back pain, breathlessness, and fatigue, she initially attributed them to her active routine and ignored them. When rest and over-the-counter pain relief didn't help, she sought a proper diagnosis. Initially, her symptoms were attributed to menopause due to her age, but she advocated for herself and sought further evaluation. An emergency room visit revealed spots on her pancreas, liver, and other organs, and she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Despite being advised to prepare for the worst, she sought out another opinion at the University of Miami, where she began chemotherapy treatments. Camille underwent 34 rounds of chemotherapy in just 17 months, followed by a "chemo holiday" as per her doctor's recommendation. Twelve years later, she has not resumed her treatment, making her one of the most notable stage 4 pancreatic cancer survivors. In her story, Camille emphasizes that statistics are not definitive, as every case is unique and outcomes vary. Camille also shares her insights on relying on faith in times of crisis. She provides examples of times when she felt miracles were present. Putting her full trust in her oncology team, she refuses to let numbers or others' opinions affect her positive outlook. She maintains a close relationship with her medical team and finds comfort in the term "stable" during her regular scans, expressing confidence and trust in her doctors. Despite her mother's 1984 death from pancreatic cancer, genetic testing revealed that Camille does not have any genetic mutations herself. Throughout her almost 12-year journey, Camille has had many opportunities to share her story on live television and other major outlets, bringing awareness to the disease and meeting several celebrities to whom she spreads her story. Tune in for this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast to hear more about Camille's unique and optimistic journey with pancreatic cancer. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Kerri Kinkade of Connecticut was a pioneer in her field. She was one of the few women to graduate in information technology during the Vietnam War. Throughout her career, she worked in technical support and retired a little over a decade ago. Her battle with pancreatic cancer began during the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Her symptoms included loss of appetite and later jaundice. Due to the circumstances of the pandemic and it being the holiday season, she had to wait until the New Year to see a doctor about her symptoms. When she finally did, they found a mass on her pancreas. Knowing that both of her parents died of different cancers, she understood that the term "mass" was not good news. Kerri was ultimately diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer, which fortunately meant she was able to undergo surgery along with 12 cycles of chemotherapy. She describes the side effects of her treatment cycles as well as her outlook. Kerri also shares her choice to advocate for herself to continue doing the things she loves, such as traveling. During her treatment, she participated in a support group for pancreatic cancer patients where they shared their unique perspectives and experiences. Inspired by their stories, Kerri decided to compile them into a book, which took two years to gather and compose. Initially, the idea was for this information to be in a pamphlet or smaller informational resource, but she includes patients with all different stages and locations of tumors, along with insights from caregivers. Kerri explains she wanted to create a resource that provided information she looked for when she was first diagnosed, as she wanted patients to find a case that resembled theirs to give them a means of hope and better understanding through the process. Join us for this wholesome episode of the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about Kerri's story and her book, “Living Your Life with Pancreas Cancer”. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To connect with Kerri, or learn more about her book, visit her site: klkinkade.my.canva.site To purchase her book on Amazon, visit this link: amazon.com/Living-Your-Life-Pancreas-Cancer/dp/B0CY3XNYM6?ref_=ast_author_mpb To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Dr. Elishama Kanu, a general surgery resident at the Duke University School of Medicine Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory. She was recently awarded the Project Purple Innovations Grant for $100,000 to advance genomic profiling of IPMNs and correlate the information with clinical patient samples for the detection of biomarkers signaling high risk for malignant degeneration. In this episode of the Project Purple Podcast, Dr. Kanu describes her role at Duke and shares in-depth explanations about the goal of her research. She emphasizes the importance of early detection in pancreatic cancer patients. She touches on the ways she and her research aim to pinpoint those who may be at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer later in life. Dr. Kanu also discusses research methods, including her work in immunotherapies. She speaks about her passion for research, how she became a resident at the Duke University School of Medicine, and her unique opportunity to gain clinical and research experience under Dr. Peter Allen and others. Join us for this very informative and optimistic episode of the Project Purple Podcast! If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To learn more about Duke University's pancreatic cancer research efforts, visit their website at: www.dukepcrl.com To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Lora and Chris Jenkins of Southern California. They are parents to three children and also have two grandchildren. Lora's journey with pancreatic cancer began very abruptly in the fall of 2022. Despite feeling in great health, an intuitive voice in her head told her to get checked out one day in October 2022. She visited her local emergency room, where they found a mass on her pancreas. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and it was then that a doctor estimated she had 3-9 months left to live. With this bleak news and doctors not giving her any hope to hold onto, Lora and her husband Chris felt the lowest they've ever felt. However, Lora's self-advocacy and Chris's ability to handle the insurance headaches and support Lora through this turned things around for their family. She did not accept the doctors' negative outlook on her prognosis. Instead, she sought out additional opinions from doctors at other hospitals. Although this was the first time she or anyone in her family had experienced pancreatic cancer, genetic testing did reveal a genetic mutation that likely was the cause of her pancreatic cancer despite her healthy lifestyle. Lora and her husband share their experiences as a patient and caretaker pair and how they took on Lora's treatments as a team. They also discuss the alternative medicines they used throughout her journey and the positive effect they had in keeping up her strength and pain tolerance. Fortunately, a year after her diagnosis, she connected with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and was able to undergo a clinical trial from which she saw significant positive effects. Eventually, after some time on the clinical trial regimen, her condition made her a candidate for surgery. This past January, she underwent the long-anticipated surgery that ultimately saved her, with double clean margins and a very successful surgery outcome. The couple also share a lot about how they relied heavily on their faith in God during this trying and tumultuous time with pancreatic cancer. Today, Lora is declared no evidence of disease and lives every day to the fullest, knowing that if it weren't for her clinical trial, she might not have had such a positive outcome in this disease. Join us for this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast to learn about the inspiring story of Lora and Chris's life after battling pancreatic cancer! If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To connect with Lora and or Chris directly, they welcome emails here: loraj0329@gmail.com chrisjenkins0329@gmail.com To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Dr. Anirban Maitra is a Professor of Pathology and Translational Molecular Pathology, and Scientific Director of the Sheikh Ahmed Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2013. He is also the principal of the NCI-funded laboratory dedicated to pancreatic cancer research. His research primarily focuses on genetics and finding early detection measures for pancreatic cancer. Dr. Maitra offers insights into the world of cancer and speaks about the feelings of guilt experienced by patients who are diagnosed with cancer, as well as the societal stigmas surrounding cancer, particularly on social media. He discusses the challenges of identifying the causes of pancreatic cancer in many cases and presents some statistics. He also talks about the risk factors and lifestyle choices that may contribute to pancreatic cancer. However, he emphasizes that more research is needed to identify those with a higher risk and monitor them for early detection and better treatment outcomes to increase survivor rates in pancreatic cancer and ultimately find a cure. Dr. Maitra also stresses the importance of collaboration in the cancer research space and the medical world as a whole to achieve better outcomes for patients and make greater strides in finding cures for diseases like pancreatic cancer. He provides the pediatric cancer consortium efforts as an example. Overall, Anirban is very optimistic about the future of pancreatic cancer and is especially enthusiastic about the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that are making clinical trials and potentially identifying risk factors much earlier in patients in the near future. Please join us for this week's episode of the Project Purple podcast to learn more about the great work he and his team are doing to create a world without pancreatic cancer! If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you'd like to learn more from this very talented doctor, follow him on Twitter/X at twitter.com/Aiims1742 To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Bradley Paul, 30, of Connecticut. Bradley was born and raised in Connecticut and found his passion for Lacrosse during his childhood and continued to play it all through high school and later college at Clark University. In 2019, Bradley was 25 years old and at that time, he was preparing to begin his graduate residency program in Art Therapy in New Mexico and was filled with hope and excitement for his future. Bradley had made it a habit to lead a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, spending time outdoors, and exploring his new state on his days off. Bradley also shares his past struggles with mental health issues such as depression and suicidal thoughts, and how he overcame them. He also talks about his family history of addiction as well as the significant amount of grief he had faced in his life and what it took for him to achieve a better mental state. Despite his healthy lifestyle, he found himself in a local emergency room after a persisting digestive discomfort became increasingly more painful. This was particularly devastating as he had never consumed substances or alcohol all his life due to a family history of addiction. Bradley was in shock when he was diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET), a rare case of pancreatic cancer that made treatment more difficult and less effective at shrinking the tumors, meaning his case would ultimately be inoperable. With the support of his family and hometown community, Bradley returned to Connecticut to receive treatment and a second opinion on his prognosis. He finds solace in coaching the high school Lacrosse team, where he revisits his roots and provides valuable life lessons and motivational insights to the young men who play for his former stomping grounds. This full-circle opportunity has brought Bradley peace and acceptance of his mortality. Join us for this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast to get a sense of Bradley's resilience and determination to make a positive impact despite his significant challenges. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To follow Bradley on his journey through pancreatic cancer, visit his YouTube channel for updates: youtube.com/@bpal32 To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

In late 2022, Benita Johnson, of Delaware, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Before going on a trip, she visited her primary care physician for some blood testing as she was not feeling well. Upon returning from her trip, she received a call from her doctor's office regarding the results and was told to admit herself to a local emergency room. This is where her journey with pancreatic cancer began. During her hospital stay, she received a CT scan, and after several hours of waiting, she was told there was a growth in her pancreas. Benita's proactive nature led her to reach out to the Johns Hopkins Oncology Department to arrange an appointment. She knew she had to be proactive to have the best chance of diagnosing and treating the growth on her pancreas, especially after being told she may have only six months to live. Only a week later, Benita had her growth biopsied and was able to meet with a team of specialists at Johns Hopkins Oncology Department. Together, they made a plan of action to treat her pancreatic cancer. At Johns Hopkins, she received treatment and underwent the Whipple procedure. However, two weeks after being discharged from recovery, she found herself back in her local hospital with a case of sepsis. At this point, Benita found it difficult to be in and out of hospitals and interact with so many medical personnel. She once again advocated for herself, discussing with the doctors how overwhelming it was for her. They helped make her healing less stressful. Writing was a positive outlet that helped her mental health immensely. She decided her writing could be beneficial to others and plans to finalize and send the book to publishers soon. Benita is also a recipient of our patient financial aid program. She speaks on the many ways in which Project Purple has helped her beyond just financially. Dino and Benita also highlight the importance of programs like the patient financial aid program and the many disparities in the healthcare system. Tune in to this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about this motivating discussion. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you'd like to read our blog about Benita and her PFA testimony, visit this link: https://www.projectpurple.org/hope-and-helping-hands-benita-johnson-battles-pancreatic-cancer-with-the-help-of-project-purple/ If you'd like to connect with Benita, she is active on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmj213/) and happy to speak with anyone via email! To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Dawn Szabolcsi, a Missouri resident, had been dealing with gastrointestinal issues since she was ten. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 54. Even though she had been to different doctors seeking answers, her symptoms were often misdiagnosed. She continued to experience symptoms similar to IBS and Crohn's disease, but tests never confirmed these diagnoses. Dawn reached a breaking point when her condition worsened, and she found blood in her stool. She was admitted to the hospital, and scans revealed a mass. By chance, she ended up in the office of Dr. Chapman, who discovered twelve lesions on her liver. It was found that the mass was not benign after Dawn underwent a distal resection and splenectomy on November 11th, 2022. Dawn was shocked to learn that she had stage four cancer. In this episode, Dawn discusses her journey and the significance of having a support system. She and, Dino talked about the problems with the healthcare system, particularly in places without high-volume medical centers. Dawn also revealed that she feels lonely as she has yet to meet someone local to her who is going through a similar journey. She hopes to help others with her blogging and YouTube channel. Dawn has a strong support system consisting of her husband, four daughters, grandchildren, and her faith. She tries to maintain her normal lifestyle by continuing to cook for her church community and following her usual routine. Unfortunately, her cancer has spread to her spine which causes her severe pain and limits some of her activities. Despite these challenges, Dawn finds joy in blogging about her journey and wearing Victorian fashion with her newfound attitude of living her best life. She relies heavily on prayer to guide her on her path to healing and recovery. Tune in to this episode to learn more about this unique and inspiring individual and her tumultuous road to a diagnosis and everyday life with pancreatic cancer. To view her vlogs on YouTube, check out her channel at this link: youtube.com/@dawnathan86 If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you'd like to follow Dawn on her pancreatic cancer journey and see her lovely victorian fashion, follow her on Instagram here: instagram.com/ladydawnsz/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Eric Lugo from Houston, Texas. Eric is a veteran whose journey with pancreatic cancer can be traced back to when he had a case of pancreatitis during his basic training in 2005. A stent was put in to treat his pancreatitis, and he went back to his usual military routine without much concern from the doctors. After years of discomfort in his upper abdomen and his health declining over years of service, he started losing weight and found himself feeling very ill. It got to a point where he was visiting the VA office very often to try and pinpoint the reason why he felt so awful. Despite undergoing a long series of tests and scans, nothing was revealed. He was later referred out of the VA system to a colorectal surgeon who was able to finally find the mass on his pancreas through an endoscopic test and later a biopsy. At 36 years old, he was finally diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and found himself at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he began a very aggressive treatment of 5-FU. Eric talks about how he felt while undergoing the many rounds of 5-FU and describes some of the supplements and other things he has done to combat the side effects and toll on his body. Eric also talks about his wedding, which was a month after his diagnosis. As he started treatment, his wife stuck with him and continues to be his support system along with both of their families. Eric also highlights the importance of faith and prayer in his journey with pancreatic cancer and remains optimistic about his outcome. Currently, Eric is detoxing from chemotherapy for a clinical trial he may begin soon. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. You can follow Eric's pancreatic cancer journey on Instagram at instagram.com/leftyvato/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Bill Nugent from Northern New Jersey. Bill has been a loyal supporter and friend of the Project Purple running community for a long time. He recently achieved his 6-Star status at the 2024 Boston Marathon, which means he has participated in all six world major marathons: NYC, Chicago, Berlin, London, Tokyo, and now Boston. In this episode, Bill talks about what inspired him to become part of the Project Purple run team. It all started with his mother who battled stage 4 pancreatic cancer. While he lost his mother to the disease, he turned his grief into something incredibly powerful, becoming our first-ever 6-Star runner to complete all of his 6-stars entirely with Project Purple. Bill also shares his experience running for Project Purple in previous marathons and the tremendous support and sense of support he has felt from the running community. Join us for this truly inspiring episode of the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about Bill's journey to becoming our very first 6-Star Runner. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you'd like to follow Bill on his running and inspiring connection to pancreatic cancer, you can do so on his Instagram: instagram.com/wfnugent/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Nick Black is the CEO and co-founder of Good United, a non-profit organization that empowers and strengthens non-profits of all causes through social media fundraising. Nick is a veteran himself and co-founded the non-profit Stop Veteran Suicide with his peers to eliminate soldier suicide. As a non-profit leader, he realized the potential of social media fundraising to streamline donations from his non-profit's supporters and was instrumental in developing the first social media fundraising software. Good United has helped raise billions of dollars in fundraising for many non-profits nationwide, including Project Purple. To learn more about Nick and his contribution to the non-profit community, you can watch this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To learn more about Stop Soldier Suicide, or donate visit https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/donate To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Jewelz and her husband and caretaker, Matt, of Northern California. The couple have four children together and were both feeling optimistic about their future as they entered their 50s. However, they could never have been prepared for Jewelz's pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2022. Her stomach pain began in the 90s when she was just a high schooler, persisting into adulthood, but she always convinced herself she was being a hypochondriac about the pain. Nevertheless, the severity of the pain sometimes made it hard to dismiss. Consulting a friend who noticed signs of jaundice prompted her to finally visit the emergency room in 2022. Upon admission, blood work and ultrasounds revealed stage 3 pancreatic cancer. As a mother of four, just barely in her 50s, this news came as a huge shock to her and her family. She recalls having to tell her four children over a Facetime call that she had cancer, and their emotions have stuck with her. Her husband, Matt, joined her on this episode to share his perspective as her caretaker through all of this and how he stepped up with many of the parental duties while Jewelz battled pancreatic cancer. He had to leave a career he had been with for decades and change his routine to help her through this battle, but the pair emerged even stronger and closer as a family. Join us for this heartwarming episode of the Project Purple podcast to learn more about Jewelz and Matt's pancreatic cancer story. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you'd like to see the art Jewelz creates, her Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/tuckini_art/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Dr. Ezra Cohen, a medical oncologist and cancer researcher based in San Diego. He is organizing clinical and research studies on various cancers at Tempus. In this episode of the Project Purple Podcast, Ezra explains the scientific reasoning behind different cancers and tumors, and how they respond to treatment methods such as immunotherapy, radiation, and chemotherapy. Additionally, Ezra talks about his groundbreaking artificial intelligence work at Tempus, which aims to make clinical trials more accessible and easier to navigate for patients undergoing cancer treatment. He also discusses how this technology has contributed to researching other cancers like pediatric leukemia and how it is used to study pancreatic cancer. Join us for this informative and insightful episode of the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about the clinical trial matching system Tempus offers, and how it can benefit patients seeking cancer treatment. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. If you would like to stay up to date with the latest strides that Tempus has made in the cancer space, or to see the clinical trial available to you, visit: https://www.tempus.com/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Dr. Helene Andrews-Polynemis, a scientist and tenured professor at Texas A&M University. Helene's journey in the medical and biology fields took an unexpected turn when she faced a personal battle with pancreatic cancer. In this episode, Helene shares her experience navigating diagnostic tests, revealing a tumor, followed by smaller tumors and abscesses on her pancreas and surrounding organs in late 2019. Amid aggressive chemotherapy cycles, Helene discusses the additional hurdles posed by the pandemic, including her husband waiting in the car during treatments. Tragically, her father received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis shortly after hers, and due to pandemic restrictions, she had to say goodbye without being there for him in person due to travel restrictions and their conditions with pancreatic cancer. Despite these hardships, Helene's determination centered on witnessing her two children graduate high school and college. Helene delves into the scientific aspects of cancer, discussing genetic mutations, biological responses to chemotherapy, and the intricate world of clinical trials. Join us for a thoughtful conversation with Helene Andrews, a remarkable pancreatic cancer survivor, on this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. Connect with Helene on X: https://twitter.com/HPolymenis To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Christina Grace, a resident of Central Florida, began experiencing discomfort in her midsection towards the end of 2020. Given the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, she initially hesitated to seek in-person medical care and instead opted for a virtual consultation. Despite following the advice given during her virtual doctor's visit to take pain relievers, the discomfort persisted for several days. Ultimately, Christina decided it warranted a trip to the emergency room. At the hospital, a series of tests, including a CT scan, revealed a tumor on her pancreas. Subsequently, she was transferred to another hospital where further testing confirmed the tumor to be cancerous. To her and her doctor's surprise, it wasn't the typical pancreatic cancer, but an extremely rare form known as Ewing sarcoma, which rarely manifests in the pancreas. Christina embarked on a rigorous treatment regimen, undergoing fourteen cycles of chemotherapy and a grueling five-day inpatient regimen during the height of the pandemic. This meant enduring these treatments without the physical presence and support of her husband or other loved ones. Learn more about Christina's journey and how her mindset helped her through this incredibly difficult time on this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. To keep up with Christina's cancer journey, follow her on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/living.rarely/ Also check out her website where she blogs about her experiences with this rare case of cancer: https://livingrarely.com/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Meaghan B. Murphy, a longtime magazine editor, author, and mother of three who lives in New Jersey. In this episode of the Project Purple Podcast, Meaghan talks about her book "Your Fully Charged Life." She explains how she was inspired to write it after watching her father battle pancreatic cancer. Meaghan also shares the many obstacles she has faced in her life and how she has turned her negative experiences into a positive self-help book. The same lessons she shared in her book helped her cope with the loss of her father and pull herself out of a dark time. Meaghan also shares some of the preventative measures she has taken to avoid cancer and her discovery of a genetic mutation that makes her and her family members susceptible to breast and pancreatic cancer. If you want to learn more about Meaghan's inspiring story, join us for this helpful episode of the Project Purple Podcast. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. Buy Meaghan's book “Your Fully Charged Life” at her site: https://meaghanbmurphy.com/ You can follow Meaghan on her Instagram to stay up to date with her at https://www.instagram.com/meaghanbmurphy/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Charlie, a 38-year-old from the U.K., who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This came as a huge shock to Charlie, as she had no health issues and was a lover of sports and all things exercise, even playing in a national league for hockey before becoming ill with pancreatic cancer. She shares her journey with pancreatic cancer by explaining the progression of her symptoms, which started with a loss of appetite and pains in her abdomen. She initially blamed these symptoms on stress but said she grew more concerned about her symptoms when the doctors began questioning her, asking how long they had been going on. She was told it could be cancer, and soon enough, a CT scan and ultrasound revealed it was, in fact, pancreatic cancer. She was told her case of cancer and the fact that it had spread to her liver meant that she was not a candidate for surgery. Her treatment options were minimal, and they warned her of the aggressiveness of the chemotherapy they'd be treating her with, warning her of damaging her fertility without time to freeze eggs. As a mother of a young baby and going through treatments for her pancreatic cancer, Charlie is fighting strong. She discusses her decision to shave her head due to losing it from the chemotherapy anyway and how that has built a sense of community for her, explaining her friends have shaved their heads as well and how people on social media have followed suit in honor of her. She emphasizes the importance of talking to others about her cancer journey and believes other patients should do the same. She shares her insights and advice on navigating cancer as a new mom and new patient in this episode of the Project Purple Podcast. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. You can follow along with Charlie's journey on her Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/charlie_andersonread/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Matthew Rosenblum is a social scientist originally from Kentucky who Michigan home. In this episode, Matthew courageously opens up about his extraordinary journey with pancreatic cancer, a battle that began at the young age of 32. Matthew discusses how he relocated to North Carolina amidst the pandemic to support a friend's business when he developed an unusual combination of symptoms. Little did he know that what initially seemed like a consequence of his lifestyle choices or a hangover would lead to a life-altering diagnosis. With a history of Crohn's disease, Matthew was familiar with gastrointestinal issues, and severe itching on his palms and feet. The itching was paired with jaundice, which raised concerns. Facing this challenging reality, Matthew underwent a gallbladder removal surgery and had a bile duct stent placed, but the persistence of symptoms revealed the gravity of his situation. Consulting with doctors initially left him with no straight answer, but after persistent symptoms, brushings confirmed the dreaded diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Thus began Matthew's journey. Tune in to this compelling episode of Project Purple Podcast to witness Matthew's inspiring story of triumph, resilience, and the power of advocacy in the face of pancreatic cancer in this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast. If you'd like to donate to Project Purple's mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/. You can follow along with Matt on his journey on his Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/myfunnypancreas/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

With 2023 winding down and 2024 coming up over the horizon, Dino, Vin, Sam, and Zach sat down to discuss a record-breaking year for Project Purple. With this having been such a great year and us having so many exciting things in store for 2024, this week's episode provides a look at this year's events from a staff perspective and a peek behind the scenes of Project Purple. To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Summer DeCoste, from Virginia, shares her inspiring journey as she opens up about her life-changing diagnosis in this heartfelt YouTube video. Summer reflects on the unsustainable lifestyle she led before her pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2018. Candidly discussing her struggles with heavy drinking and unhealthy food choices, she reveals a raw and honest picture of the moments leading up to her medical revelation. When she was experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort and back pain, Summer sought medical attention. Despite receiving a prescription for pepsin medications, she trusted her instincts and advocated for herself during that same appointment. This pivotal decision led to scans the following day, that allowed doctors to discover pancreatic cancer. In this emotional recount, Summer shares the challenges of processing her diagnosis and emphasizes the crucial role played by her supportive family and friends, especially her husband. Facing the daunting prospect of pancreatic cancer head-on, she found strength in their unwavering encouragement. Summer delves into her complex relationship with faith, exploring whether she believed in a higher power before and earlier in her journey. Despite initial uncertainties, she reveals a profound connection with God throughout her journey, feeling His presence at every step. Having lost her mother to cancer, Summer opens up about the negative mindset she harbored, fearing a similar fate for herself. However, she has overcome that negative manifestation, highlighting her resilience and a newfound perspective on life. Join Summer DeCoste on this transformative journey, as she navigates battling pancreatic cancer, finding strength in faith, and rewriting her narrative with hope and courage. Connect with Summer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summer_thymes/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Introducing Ana Brazil, an indomitable spirit hailing from Oakland, California, who faced an unexpected battle with bladder cancer after discovering blood in her urine. As she navigated through the challenges of bladder cancer treatments, an unforeseen twist emerged – an early stage of pancreatic cancer was detected. Ana, a talented writer of historical fiction, weaves this chapter of her life, or her 'episode' with cancer. While doctors successfully eradicated all traces of bladder cancer, a significant portion of her pancreas and spleen had to be removed due to the pancreatic cancer. The tumors manifested in dual forms, adenocarcinoma and a neuroendocrine tumor (N.E.T.). In this episode, Ana shares insights into her 'episode' with pancreatic cancer. She discusses the impact cancer has had on her and her husband's retirement plans, restricting them from relocating to proximity to her treatment center. Despite reaching Stage 4, Ana refuses to let the diagnosis define her. She bravely challenges the idea of becoming a statistic and breaks free from the stigma associated with Stage 4 cancer. Join us on the Project Purple Podcast to witness Ana's inspiring 'episode' and gain a deeper understanding of her spirit and positivity, that break through the constraints of cancer. Ana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ana.brazil/ Ana's Website https://anabrazil.com/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Stefanie Sacks, a resident of New York, reflects on her upbringing, which was marked by disordered eating and chronic illness. During her early years, she developed an interest in cooking and began reading about food. She was curious about the connection between food and health, which led her to pursue a degree in culinary nutrition. She continued her education and earned several more degrees, including one in nutrition education. Stefanie was determined to write a book about her experiences and knowledge on nutrition and wellness. Stefanie is a strong advocate for nutrition and emphasizes the importance of being aware of what you consume. She highlights the link between cancer and certain foods and offers her services to help people make healthy food choices during cancer treatment and in general. For valuable nutritional information from Stefanie, visit: https://www.wtfork.com/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Martin Inderbitizin from Switzerland. Having just completed his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the age of 32, Martin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, disrupting his plans to embark on a new career. His research focused on stress and emotions, and little did he know that this scientific knowledge would prove invaluable in coping with his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. To cope, he took up running, even signing up for a triathlon without prior competitive experience. He registered for the triathlon while receiving chemotherapy, using it as a distraction from cancer. Despite a decade-long battle, Martin emphasizes that he doesn't feel the illness but rather the effects of the treatments. Running made him feel alive and provided a way to shift from illness to health. He advocates for a constructive mindset, embracing all emotions instead of strictly pursuing positivity. Martin underscores the importance of listening to your body and maintaining a healthy pace, whether in running or coping with challenges. In sharing insights into the biology of the mind, Martin highlights the crucial acknowledgment of certain emotions and reactions. Learn more about Martin at https://www.instagram.com/marbitz/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Get ready to be inspired by the remarkable story of Jen Wells, residing in West Virginia. Jen's life took an unforeseen turn with a stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis, initially leaving her with a mere three months to live. As a devoted single mother, Jen's transparent approach with her children about her diagnosis reflects her remarkable strength and openness. Join us as we uncover Jen's journey, from her passion for running and her dedicated nursing career to the hurdles she has conquered since her diagnosis. In this touching episode, Jen offers insights into her participation in groundbreaking clinical trials at Johns Hopkins, sharing the positive strides she has made in her battle against pancreatic cancer. Prepare to be moved by Jen's tale of resilience and hope. Tune in for an unforgettable narrative of courage and perseverance. Follow Jen's Instagram to keep up with her journey: https://www.instagram.com/jenwells13/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Witness the incredible journey of Ali Brown, the three-time Guinness World Record holder from Northern Ireland, as he shatters records in honor of his late partner, Sharon Deegan. In a stunning display of resilience and love, Ali's most recent accomplishment, a staggering 150-hour continuous drumming session, Ali paid homage to Sharon's courage in her battle against pancreatic cancer. Their profound love story, which began in 2017, was tragically cut short when Sharon succumbed to the illness in early 2021, following a struggle of three and a half years and a challenging Whipple procedure. Join us on the Project Purple Podcast as Ali opens up about his emotional journey, his relentless pursuit of drumming records, and how his music has become a vessel for spreading awareness about pancreatic cancer and mental health. In a candid conversation, Ali reveals the intertwining nature of his own mental health struggles and his mission to honor Sharon's legacy, demonstrating how the power of rhythm and passion can transcend boundaries and inspire hope in the darkest of times. To keep up with Ali, follow him on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/alib_drummer/ To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Elizabeth Benedict is a renowned author and survivor of lymphoma. She recently shared her experience of battling cancer and how she fought to get the right diagnosis. Writing about her journey has helped her to come to terms with her illness and she hopes her book will inspire others to do the same. Despite being a writer, she found it difficult to open up about her struggles with cancer but hopes that by sharing her story, she can help others overcome their fears and find hope in their journey. Join us for this episode of the Project Purple Podcast to hear her inspiring story. You can follow Elizabeth on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elizabethbenedictwriter/. Interested in reading “Rewriting Illness?” Look for it at your local bookstore at https://bookshop.org/ or follow one of these links: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rewriting-illness-elizabeth-benedict/1142558715?ean=9781942134916 https://www.amazon.com/Rewriting-Illness-Elizabeth-Benedict/dp/1942134916 To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Mary Billiter, of Wyoming, an acclaimed author, and passionate creative writing teacher. She draws inspiration from her Pulitzer Prize-winning father. She's also a devoted mother. Mary's life journey has been marked by resilience, having faced alcoholism in her youth, a courageous battle against breast cancer, and later a diagnosis of her son's, schizophrenia. In the past two years, Mary has been fighting another difficult challenge – pancreatic cancer. She underwent the grueling Whipple surgery and endured countless rounds of chemotherapy. Join us in this inspiring episode of the Project Purple podcast as we delve into how Mary's past challenges have equipped her to tackle this latest battle and discover the incredible mindset that keeps her fighting. To follow Mary on her journey, you can follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/marybilliter/ or visit her WordPress site, https://marybilliter.wordpress.com/. To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Ilisha Helfman of Portland, Oregon. She was given a dire diagnosis along with suggestions of burial arrangements from her doctor, but two and a half years later, she is living her life to the fullest thanks to her positive mindset. Despite battling pancreatic cancer, she's dancing through her neighborhood to the tunes of BTS and other K-Pop hits while walking her dog. She spends her days enjoying painting, knitting, and K-Dramas. Don't miss this heartwarming episode of the Project Purple Podcast. To follow Ilisha and learn more about her, visit https://www.instagram.com/ilishahelfman/. To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Meet Dr. Brittany Smirnov of northern Virginia. Dr. Smirnov is a dermatologist who has a unique connection to pancreatic cancer despite not specializing in it. After experiencing challenges with breastfeeding her second child, she delved into her family's medical history and discovered the BRCA mutations on her father's side that have led to various cancers. With her medical background and family experience, she shares valuable insight into how BRCA affects the risk of pancreatic and other cancers, and what to do if you have a BRCA Mutation. Dr. Smirnov shares her personal story and explains how it led her to pursue a career in dermatology with the goal of being a part of positive change in the medical field. She also discusses a risk reduction procedure she underwent and how advocacy played a role in making it happen. Additionally, she also touches on the future of AI and how it may be able to help identify genetic mutations to aid in cancer research. Tune in to this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about Dr. Smirnov's research on pancreatic cancer and BRCA mutations, as well as her family's journey. You can follow Dr. Smirnov at: https://www.instagram.com/dr_smirnov To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/ https://twitter.com/Run4Purple https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ