Pancreatic Cancer Fundraiser

This weekend I participated in an inspiring event called PurpleStride.  PurpleStride is one of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's fund raising events, with 5K walks and runs all across the country.  I was introduced to this great event last year and this year, was happy to pull together a team of 12 family members and friends to walk in honor of my father who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2008.  My incredible team raised $1,000!

My mom and I in our team shirts walking in memory of my dad

As a diabetic, I already know my pancreas doesn't function as it normally should, and I have to admit that in the back of my mind I do have a tiny fear of having even more pancreas problems someday.   My dad had type-2 diabetes and I can't help wondering about a connection between the two.  HUGE disclaimer:  I am not a doctor and my thoughts are based solely on my life experience and are not medical fact in any way.

PurpleStride is not only a great event for fundraising and remembering those who have died from the disease; it has practical benefits too.  I started running more to get ready for this event and will try to keep this up as the weather gets better and better.  Strangely enough my BGs were sometimes higher after running but...more to come on that later.


I am so happy that I was able to take part in such an inspiring event: seeing people walking in memory of their loved ones, trying to raise money to fight an incredibly deadly form of cancer, and seeing survivors walk along side us as they recover.  It was especially touching to see one of the nurses who took care of my father walk up to my mom and give her a hug, saying she remembered my dad after all these years.  At times like this my life gets put in perspective, and I realize that I really don't have it that bad.