Honouring Legacies, Changing Outcomes
The transformative power of giving in memory of someone you’ve lost to pancreatic cancer.
February 9, 2026
Anne LeMesurier, Director, Philanthropy & Donor Engagement
[A note from PCNA]
[We are grateful to be sharing the lived experience of Connor and Jen who have documented their personal journey with pancreatic cancer up until Connor’s passing in October 2024, to help other families cope with the challenges of this disease.
This blog article is from a series of content pieces written by these remarkable people.]
Working in the pancreatic cancer space, I have witnessed extraordinary generosity alongside profound loss. Nearly every conversation I have with a donor begins with a story: a parent diagnosed too late; a partner lost far too quickly; a friend whose symptoms were mistaken until treatment options were limited.
These stories reflect how pancreatic cancer continues to have one of the highest mortality rates of any major cancer, and too many families face its devastating impact with little warning.
For many in our community, giving or fundraising in honour of a loved one becomes a powerful way to celebrate their life. By sharing their stories and bringing others together in support, families and friends like yours are creating legacies that help drive urgently needed progress in pancreatic cancer.
Much of the generosity that fuels our work comes from gifts made in memory of someone deeply loved. At Pancreatic Cancer North America, we see how these tributes become catalysts for progress. Because of you, innovative advances in early detection are moving forward, including Dr. Eugene Koay’s work to develop tools that identify pancreatic cancer earlier using routine blood tests and CT scan data. Your support also expands vital patient services like Ask an Expert and strengthens collaboration between our valued partners across the globe.
What is also behind every gift made in memory of someone special is a deeply personal experience of grief, loss, and remembrance. Your stories remind me every day how much is at stake. If you or your family are open to seeking support, I invite you to explore the grief resources available on our website. You are not alone in this experience.
As we look ahead, our shared mission remains clear: we must change the trajectory of pancreatic cancer. We must increase the number of survivors who are able to share their stories of resilience, progress, and life beyond this disease. And we cannot do this alone.
On behalf of all of us at Pancreatic Cancer North America, thank you for transforming remembrance into action and for standing with us as we work toward a future where pancreatic cancer is detected earlier, treated more effectively, and ultimately, survived.
If you are interested in honouring your loved one in a unique way, creating a tribute page is a meaningful way to share their story, connect with others, and create a legacy that fuels our innovative approach to increasing survival rates.
