Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: PurpleStride 2021 with Richard Pante and Kim Levesque! Episode 025

Richard Conner 0:00

Welcome to Episode 25. Every month we try to bring you behind the scenes of races for fundraiser events and this one in particular hits close to home for me and my family, as well as many families around the world. Hope you enjoy. Here’s what you can look forward to on this episode of Inspire Virtual Runs Podcast.

Kim Levesque 0:22

We always say we’re kind of small, and but we are mighty and everybody is there for the same common goal to fight for their loved ones. And to also keep making that goal of making a difference. Raising awareness and keep getting that survival rate up. Like Richard said, now it’s in double digits. And when I first started, it wasn’t so just being a part of that is something that I think is really great. And seeing all this stuff when we get new funding when we get to do stuff for advocacy and go to the Capitol and get our words heard and let everybody know that you know, pancreatic cancer needs more attention because it is so deadly. And because there is no warning. That’s something that a lot of people don’t know until you hear the words pancreatic cancer because I was one of those people.

Intro/Outro 1:07

Welcome to Inspire Virtual Runs Podcast, whether you are new to running or seasoned. Get tips and the inspiration that you need to achieve your health and fitness goals. Now, here’s your host Richard Conner.

Richard Conner 1:25

Hi, everyone. Welcome to Inspire Vrtual Runs Podcast. I am here with my friends, Richard Pante and Kim Levesque from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, also known as pan can. Richard is a community relationship manager for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. His role is to support all those fighting back against pancreatic cancer in New England. Richard lives in Frederick, Maryland with his wife, autumn, and son Donovan. He has also joined the world of running over the pandemic and is addicted. Kim is the Connecticut affiliate chair for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Her role is to lead support and raise awareness for participants in Connecticut. Kim’s husband and two kids actively join her fight to end pancreatic cancer and help others in their purple family community. I am excited to have Richard and Kim here with us today. So welcome to the show.

Kim Levesque 2:26

Hi

Richard Pante 2:26

Thank you so much, Richard.

Kim Levesque 2:27

Thank you for having us.

Richard Conner 2:30

So let me kick things off by saying that, you know, pancreatic cancer is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. And just for listeners, I lost my mother in law to pancreatic cancer a few years ago. And that is when my family found Panchen and it is such an awesome organization. And, you know, I said really provided comfort to us during such a difficult time. So this is an important topic. You know, I think not only to me and for my family, but many families around the world. So I’m really excited to to kind of have this topic, you know, on the show and have Richard and Kim here. So, Richard, you know, I really like to start the conversation with you like what led you to painting can?

Richard Pante 3:17

Absolutely. For me, I actually started out in the general cancer space, I worked with the American Cancer Society for about three and a half years, much in the same way that I operate with Panchen now in the community engagement space. And american cancer society is sort of an umbrella organization that really fights back against all cancers. So because of that, and because I was in community engagement, I met a lot of people with a lot of different stories survivors, their caregivers, you name it, and you know just how your brain naturally works, I think is is you sort of build up I it’s almost to me like a like a virtual Rolodex where you just the the stories and the people that you come across. certain ones just really stick with you. And over the course of like I said the three and a half years, I met people from all different walks that have been affected by all different types of cancers. You know, if I really virtually access that Rolodex, I started to realize that the stories that were just sticking with me the most were the stories were pancreatic cancer had a touch someone and I had the opportunity to to join pan can and and in trying to think about, you know, making a shift like that going from like a general sense to more of a specific nonprofit and community engagement space. I access that Rolodex and I really realized that there was just such a needed fight to go against pancreatic cancer and a lot of work needed to be done a lot of courageous, amazing people that were fighting back and I wanted to join that movement. And so that’s sort of the the genesis that led me to Pancan.

Richard Conner 5:20

That’s great. Thank you so much for sharing return. I mean, it’s, it’s awesome to have, you know, your career have a noble purpose. And you know, you’ve been in this space for some time. I appreciate you sharing that with us. And, you know, Kim, love to hear your story as well, like what led you here?

Kim Levesque 5:37

Yeah, so I actually got involved in 2015, which is when I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer, he got diagnosed at stage four, and it had already metastasized. So he was given a few weeks to live. And when he did pass, I was really angry at that time, because I wasn’t given any resources, I wasn’t feeling like I had any support. And then I found out through some friends about Pam can because like, Richard, I used to do all the cancer, you know, walks and runs. And when I found out that there was one just for pancreatic cancer, I decided to do the walk and create a team. And I realized how comforting and how much of a family really everybody is at Pam can and they really, truly do support you and they come together for the same common goal. And I had promised my dad, before he passed that I would continue the fight for him. So that is what I have been doing for the last almost six years now. As as my roles have changed, but like I said, now I’m affiliate chair, I feel that I have a greater possibility to reach more people and more individuals, and really let them know that they’re not alone, and that we are advocating for them and that we do want change. And that I will not only continue for my father, but also all the other people that I’ve become part of my family and that we’ve lost over the years, and others that we have now started meeting because of this organization. So that is really where my headspace is, is I just promised that I will keep doing this until somebody else does not have to hear you have stage four cancer, and you’re going to have to die. And I just, I don’t think that’s acceptable. So that is why I work so hard to keep doing what we do.

Richard Conner 7:22

Thank you so much, Kim, and thank you for everything that you do. You know, I remember I remember you specifically I think you’re one of the first people we met at Pancan, and I remember your story about your dad, which you know, again, you know, very sorry to hear you know, about your dad and, and again, I think it It helps all of us, right, just kind of connect with you. And we share our different stories and just really appreciate, you know, you kind of sharing that and opening yourself up with all of us, I think that gave us a lot of comfort during during that time and over the years. So So thank you. You know, back to Richard, I like to give our listeners some background who may not be familiar with Pancan and like what Pancan does. Can you tell us a little bit about like the organization’s mission and the work that that you do there specifically?

Richard Pante 8:16

Yeah, absolutely. I’d be I’d be happy to share, as you heard, you know, me allude to, and also quite frankly, you know, you and Kim as well. Pancreatic cancer is a very, very, very deadly and tough situation. Just unimaginable for those that haven’t experienced that. And so, you know, a couple of quick stats, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. And and the five year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is currently at 10%. So what Kim was alluding to with, you know, so much more work that needed to be done and where things are adding just currently unacceptable, I can’t underline and highlight that enough, there was a lot of work to be done and what Pancan thrives to be is the go to organization for pancreatic cancer. And we take a holistic approach. We try to come at it from all different angles to really help and assist pancreatic cancer patients and their loved ones. And this can be found in in multiple ways. Like I said, we have a holistic approach. So we focus a lot on, on research, to to build ways for early detection to sort of find that breakthrough that will that will push the boundaries of survivorship and quality of life while you’re dealing with and that of course leads to patient services. Basically, we want to get to a place when we say we’re going to you know, we want to be the go to organization for pancreatic cancer that someone that hears those words. You have pancreatic cancer, they can call us and get help on every step of their journey. And it can be something seemingly huge, all the way to something that maybe you wouldn’t you wouldn’t think about, right? So something that is that huge that we’re that we’re working on something like know your tumor where we actually take a piece of a person’s tumor, and do some tests on it to figure out what is the best way of treatment for that specific person, because everyone’s tumor is different, and makeup is different. And I will say a little asterisk, I am not the sciency guy, I am a community engagement person. So I certainly would encourage people to to look up these aspects of what we’re working on, go to our website, Pancan.org, we help pancreatic cancer patients, in those ways, all the way all the way to, like I said something that you may not think about, like dietary guidelines, I just got diagnosed, what should I eat, what should I not eat, like we we really try to cover the gambit from A to Z. And to sort of build off that in the local community, we want to spread the word with all of the services that we offer, so that people can take advantage of it, of course, all of it is free. And we and we want to make sure that every single person is affected by this knows, knows about all the all the resources that we have, and the ways they can take advantage. And so that that comes about in different ways in the community. And that sort of leads to the local volunteer affiliates we call them and although the idea is to really use that as a way to spread awareness for personal outreach, the fundraising to fund our programs. So as you can see, there’s, there’s a million different bunny trails, I could go down here, but I would just keep coming back to we want to be the go to organization for pancreatic cancer. And so the so the impetus is on us, then our goal is to cover everything from patient services to spreading the mission mission to providing ways that people can get involved locally raising funds, you name it. And so that’s sort of our robust outlook on who we are and what we do.

Richard Conner 12:10

All right, that’s very interesting. And it sounds like well organized, it sounds like you have a lot of great services and programs and resources to to help either those who have been diagnosed or you know, their loved ones to kind of get more informed about, you know, pancreatic cancer, and what can they do so, so that’s great. And we’ll include this information in the show notes, to point them back to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, so they can find you. So you talked a little bit about the affiliates or the local communities. And and I think that takes us to Kim, who is the chair for the Connecticut affiliate. So you know, maybe we’ll switch gears a little bit and learn about like, what happens at a local level. So Kim, can you tell us a little bit about your affiliate kind of how you’re structured? And a little bit about the programs that you offer there?

Kim Levesque 13:05

Yeah, sure. So, like Richard said, Because Pancan is so big, and you know, across the states, it makes sense to have local affiliates so we can reach out to those, and really focus on participants in Connecticut. So like I said, I lead the affiliate here for Connecticut, I have an amazing team that is full of volunteers that have different roles as well, like the purple stripe, chair and volunteer chair and media chair. So everybody kind of plays a part and piecing together all of the puzzle pieces, essentially, in order to make Connecticut be successful. But essentially, our biggest mission is getting everybody together, getting our mission heard letting people know that they’re not alone, and that there are not only local, but there are also national resources that are provided for them. And just we come together, we have meetings, we do certain events, like purplestride, like Richard said, is one of our biggest fundraising ones. And that’s really our main goal to walk to end pancreatic cancer. So primarily, most of our affiliate year is comprised of planning PurpleStride, and making sure that everybody’s getting a great experience. Everybody’s getting the awareness, everybody knows about it. Everybody knows why we’re here what our common goal is. And then we also do a PurpleLight, which is more of a memorial and remembrance ceremony for those that are fighting, but we really just want people to come together, let them know that they’re not alone that we have the support groups. We do tips and tricks, meetings and stuff to encourage them to fundraise and get more participants to join their teams through PurpleStride, but really, it’s just a matter of reaching out to people reaching out to hospitals, reaching out to organizations, reaching out to anybody, survivors, caregivers that we find that Sign up and Connecticut to let them know that we’re here. And like Richard had said, you know that Pam can offers these resources. So it’s really we’re kind of the connector between Connecticut participants, and what Pam can offers for those that are having to deal with pancreatic cancer. So that’s kind of my job. And like I said, it has changed in the last few years, I started off as purple light and then went to purple stride, and then and then switch to affiliate. So it’s kind of the top of the machine now. But we we are, we always say we’re kind of small, and but we are mighty. And everybody is there for the same common goal to fight for their loved ones. And to also keep making that goal of making a difference, raising awareness and keep getting that survival rate up. Like Richard said, now it’s in double digits. And when I first started, it wasn’t. So just being a part of that is something that I think is really great. And seeing all the stuff when we get new funding when we get to do stuff for advocacy, and go to the Capitol and get our words heard and let everybody know that, you know, pancreatic cancer needs more attention, because it is so deadly. And because there was no warning. That’s something that a lot of people don’t know until you hear the words pancreatic cancer, because I was one of those people. So that’s another reason why I think all of us on the affiliate work so hard to make sure that everybody is getting that message before it’s too late.

Richard Conner 16:24

Mm hmm. All right. Well, it sounds like you have some really great programs locally. And I love the idea that you’re getting the community involved. It’s not simply a national organization, that is that is trying to organize, you know, these fundraisers is really more so at a local level. So you could have these types of events. I mean, obviously not not much as in person these days, but if they’re there virtual events, or pre or post pandemic in person, and I love these programs that you have, you know, what we’re gonna get to purplestride in a moment, but PurpleStride, PurpleLight, is also a great event that I that my family has personally attended in the past. And like you said, kind of those tips and tricks that you share with the community. So this is this is great. And and you’re right, you know, how can you spread not only awareness to the local community, but how can you do more on the industry side to help increase the survival rate. So I know, there’s a lot of clinical aspect of what the the national organization does isn’t and is involved in. So I think that’s wonderful. So let’s come back to the the programs that you offer. And you know, we’ll make this connection with Inspire Virtual Runs, is PurpleStride. So purplestride, you know, is is your annual fundraiser, and it’s in it’s a running event. And it’s something that I love to participate in, you know, that I’ve done over the last few years. And I love that too, to be kind of showcase here on this episode is the great work that that you guys are doing with purplestride. So so let’s just talk a little bit about that, like pre pandemic, what it purplestride look like and then kind of what are you doing, you know, this year kind of given the current environment?

Richard Pante 18:04

Yeah, so PurpleStride is our signature fundraising event. As you you’ve been you’ve been involved in Kim has helped help lead it for a few years now. We gather once a year, and it’s really an opportunity for all of us to to make our statement in the fight back raising awareness, fundraising, we have a run, as you said, and, of course, you know, for being in this pandemic world, you know, it is virtual, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network had to make the decision that all of our events nationwide would have to go there. But that doesn’t mean that that we’re not hard at work doing something virtual. And so each community is doing their own thing. And of course, that includes Connecticut. And we’re really excited about that. And so, so, Kim, I don’t know if you want to share some more specific stuff with Connecticut.

Kim Levesque 18:55

Yeah, sure. So let me take you back a little bit, though. So because I know Richard, you had said that you have joined us at purplestride. So let me just paint a little picture for the listeners of what used to be before, before this poor pandemic hit but purplestride for us in Connecticut, it was really one of our biggest events. And it was the time that we all came together not only just the affiliate, but all our participants we would have anywhere from 1200 people plus all wearing a sea of purple, all doing this fabulous run, we had guest speakers, we had music, there was food, there was fun, and everybody, even if there was crying, it was still like just a magical day of feeling like you really accomplished something and that you’re all there for a common goal. And it’s just one of the most uplifting runs and events I’ve been a part of not only because like Richard said that I you know also happen to run it but I just feel that it’s just so empowering when you have everybody coming together to really make this cause something that is greater. So like he said, unfortunately, the pandemic has hit. So last year was virtual. And this year is virtual. But we are still trying to make sure that we get our Connecticut participants to feel still like they are part of our community. So we are still doing on our Facebook group page, we’re encouraging them to share their stories, upload videos, tell us who they’re walking for who they’re who they support, who they’re striving, who they’re remembering. We have a virtual memory wall, that they can also post pictures and stuff too. So they can feel like they’re a part and everybody can see all the family members what they look like this year, how much has changed in a year, our survivors are still spotlighted, they still get to be able to same thing, turn in a video, turn in something, share something be one of the speakers at our event or in our video. So that way, we’re still encouraging them. And we’re honoring them and letting them know that this is why we keep doing this is so that there’s more people on the stage, because that is probably one of my favorite moments when we do do purple stripe is when we play that song fights. And all of them come up. And every year we’ve gotten more people and it’s just so touching, and everybody claps and cheers and you just if there’s just nothing like it. So we still try to do that now virtually to let them know that this is why we fight. We fight for them and their families. And we are going to hopefully have our selfie stations so we can start getting more people involved with that. So we’re going to be trying to do some fun things to get people geared up in some special socials, and maybe a team rally where our team is working really hard. My purple stripe chair, Amy is fabulous at that. And she’s really trying to get this year’s virtual aspect a little bit bigger and better than last year because it was a big change. And people are so used to being all together that it’s really hard to be apart right now. So we really want them to virtually feel like we are still together.

Richard Pante 22:02

And I would just add really quick, I can’t emphasize enough what Kim just said about the feel and like the spirit behind it, there really is that teamwork. Like we’re in this together, like just so uplifting. And it just so it just that brings a cohesion. And it’s so exciting. Richard, I don’t know if if I know there’s a lot of people that come to this event, but I know that you saw Kim and her two, two up on the stage, bringing that celebration, I’ll tell you, I don’t know if I if we came across each other on that day, but I also was wearing a tutu and having a blast and a half pinballing around the area meeting people. And so you know, there’s just that really just jubilant, just we’re here to be together and to and to fight back together. And I it’s just so unique and special. So I just wanted to add that in because Kim Kim certainly brings it and I tried to do that too.

Richard Conner 23:01

Yeah, that that’s awesome. Yeah, you know, I remember just the experience and the feeling of being there. And, and the feeling of, you know, on your side, your perspective, teamwork on my side was like felt like community, all of us coming together for for a cause. And it’s just really a spectacular event. And even though it was virtual last year, I you know, I know some folks will say, well, that’s not the same. But I was still out there. Right. I was still out there running and, and supporting you guys and Richard, I know, we’re both on Strava. And we’re following each other. So I love the elements that you guys have pulled together to still kind of have that community feel even though we’re apart and it’s virtual.

Richard Pante 23:45

Absolutely. That’s something we really are. I think it’s doable. I think maybe the first assumption and I don’t blame people, the first assumption would be like, Oh, you’re going virtual, like you were it’s not going to have the same feel. And I think, yeah, perhaps it’s a different challenge. But I think there are ways that you can still build that community, build that cohesion, build that that same spirit. And that’s and that’s we were able to come up with some ways to do that last year or and we’re looking to continue that on this year and even come up with more ideas on it. So it’s something we’re still really excited about.

Richard Conner 24:18

Awesome, awesome. Well, I’m looking forward to it. And I’m happy to share this with the Inspire virtual ones community. I’d love for them, everybody to get involved as well. So we’ll be talking about this over the next couple of months leading up to the event which you know, for the Connecticut chap affiliate, I believe it’s in in June. So you know, we’ll have links in the show notes so we can give everyone the dates depending on where they are, they could see the local event depending on where they are. So, you know, as we kind of wrap up, you know, I’d love to hear from you. You know, maybe we’ll start with you, Richard. Like is there any, anything you’d like to share with the community, anything to to inspire them to participate in Pancan, support, you know, the work that you guys are doing?

Richard Pante 25:05

Absolutely. Well, as we just talked about, there are a lot of inherent challenges to sort of doing the fighting back in this virtual world to getting involved. But one thing that we’re trying to keep in mind that that I would share is, well, no two things really the first thing is, well, pancreatic cancer is not taking a break, be just because it’s a pandemic, it’s still happening. And so I know that has sort of been a rallying cry for us to just sort of keep the fight going, despite all the obstacles that are in our way. But on the encouragement piece, what I would also say is, you can get involved in so many different ways, even if you are limited to, you know, in your home or your block, or wherever you live, we have we had fundraisers centered around purple pancakes, we had fundraisers centered around online auctions, or even you know, doing a virtual run, as Richard mentioned earlier, and that’s obviously part of our event, like there are so many ways that you can fight back, and you can get involved and you can make a difference. Even in this reality that we are currently living in. We try to stay creative, we try to stay inspiring, and we try to make that difference. And you you are able to make that difference in so many different ways. So, so get creative and have fun with it. And it’s it’s still a blast.

Richard Conner 26:37

Awesome. Awesome. Thank you, Richard. Kim, same question for you. So what do you what would be your kind of parting words here as we kind of wrap up for for our listeners?

Kim Levesque 26:47

Yeah, I mean, we, as the affiliates are always looking for more help, thankfully, over this time, that has encouraged a lot of people to reach out and see how they can be part of it, which is great. We’re always looking for people to help join our team. And I know, like I said that this year is virtual. But still we have so much stuff behind the scenes that we get through to do these events. And really reach out outreach is a huge thing that we’re really working on. So that way we can reach out to the people that are on our list saying you know that they’ve been affected by pancreatic cancer. And also, the biggest thing is just if you can just get involved or spread the word, share events, if you see our events. So you know, you share a car page, share it, because maybe somebody else if it’s not you being affected, maybe somebody else in your family is affected. I can’t tell you how many events that we’ve gone to, that we’ve been out there with a table or something and somebody walked by and they said, Oh my gosh, I didn’t even know you guys existed. It’s just really getting that awareness out there, especially for Connecticut. So people can realize that there are ways to fight back here in Connecticut and also nationally, but that there’s also resources for them, I would have loved to have been able to find those resources before. So like I said, I’m super happy that Pam can has come so far in just the last few years since I’ve joined. And being able to watch that as amazing, but it’s just you’re so overwhelmed when you hear those words pancreatic cancer, that I just want to know that when they hear those words that there is an avenue and there is an outlet. So I really encourage people to come and like you said if you want to get your running shoes on join us virtually on June 19, which is our walk here and in Connecticut or just do it anytime you are there’s really no limits to when you can do it and just you know wrap your purple and if you have a to to have some fun with it, because that’s what we do the the amount matching running shoes, everything is purple in our in our households net that we’ve been created cancer, but just just to know that you’re not alone, and that those words, you know, they are powerful. But there’s so much more that we can do to help with that.

Richard Conner 28:57

Richard Kim, thank you so much. I’ve enjoyed this conversation so much. I love the great work that you guys are doing and what’s being done at pan can and really looking forward to PurpleStride 2021 coming up here in the summer. So you know, thanks again, I’m so grateful that you two were able to come on the show, and really just kind of looking forward to these events.

Kim Levesque 29:22

Thank you so much for having us and letting us have this opportunity to spotlight this organization and what we’re doing here in Connecticut, and thank you so much for being a part of it. I’m so happy that you are part of our purple family.

Richard Pante 29:36

Absolutely. And for using Yeah, using your platform to spread the mission and just letting people know what’s out there. I really appreciate Richard, thank you.

Richard Conner 29:47

Awesome, awesome. Thank you both again, and have a great day.

Kim Levesque 29:51

You too.

Richard Pante 29:52

Same.

Richard Conner 29:54

Thank you Richard and Kim for coming on the show to share your stories as well as the great work that’s being done. the pancreatic cancer action network for patients and their families here are the three key takeaways from the conversation number one pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related death in the united states second pancreatic cancer action network strives to be the go to resource for pancreatic cancer patients and their families and third there’s this entire community of people here to support patients and their families and you can become part of that community and support them by joining events like the PurpleStride event so all this information will be in the show notes for you to check it out i would encourage you to join and stride for pancreatic cancer patients and with that thank you so much for listening and have a great day

Intro/Outro 30:55

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