Jessica Dana

I am walking to raise funds for pancreatic cancer because it is a cause close to my heart. On 17th November 2022, just a mere 9 months after his diagnosis, my father Michael lost his battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

We- like many others- were not aware that pancreatic cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths in Australia, with a very low survival rate of only 12.2%.

The disease receives little or no funding because it has been placed in the “too hard” basket for many years. As you can see from the above statistic it’s a silent killer that only makes it’s presence known once it’s just about too late and spread to other areas. We couldn’t help my father- he lasted 9 months after he was diagnosed, and he fought for every single moment he had. But here is the kicker- we his family knew absolutely nothing about this illness. Not the stats. Not that it was the third leading cause of cancer related deaths. Not that it’s symptoms initially are so easily explained away (who doesn’t have a little back pain or reflux?!). And most definitely not the strain and level of pain it puts it’s victims through in it’s final stages as it spreads.

Our family wholeheartedly believes those affected by pancreatic cancer deserve an equal chance of survival to those diagnosed with other high profile cancers. These brave souls deserve at the very least a fighting chance. And so we take inspiration from our Michael’s fight for time, and we choose to support and fight for all those sufferers- past, present and future.

Please support me (and the rest of Team Michael) as I put my foot down for pancreatic cancer, because we can only make an impact together.

Thank you, much health and a million blessings to you and yours… Jess