The summer of 2009 my sisters, mother, stepfather and myself gathered in the living room for a "family meeting." We often held these gathering to discuss behavior, important information, and well sharing unpleasant news. My mother and stepdad began to share the news with my sisters and myself, that things will be changing due to a recent diagnosis given.

The doctors informed my stepfather, Chris Parker that he had pancreatic cancer. At this time, my family did not know much about this disease. We did not know what to expect, what life would be like or better yet what this meant moving forward. How is an 8th grade supposed to grasp the possibility that they might lose someone they look up to?

After a few months, my stepfather and mother made numerous of trips to Rochester, MN to visit with the Mayo Clinic. I actually got to go on a few of the trips myself and miss school. Looking back now, I cherish the fact that I skipped school. Ti...me went by, and our family began to question what the possibilities where. We learned more about the diagnosis, including the fact that the five-year survival rate was below 4%! That's right, 4%!

Time went by, and my stepfather could no longer work, do daily tasks around the house due to his body aching and shutting down. Hospice was called in to help teach my mother, grandmother and us how to take care of our stepfather in his final few months. Whether that be provide an IV, help bathe, or just get around the house. I watched my biggest role model slow drift away, painfully. My heart broke in so many ways. Thoughts like, "I'm about to lose a parent! I'll never complete my Eagle Scout Project. What am I supposed to do without him?" So many thoughts crossed my mind.

March 2010 rolled around, and my family decided that we would take a family vacation - attempt to at least and make the best of what we could. My grandparents, mother, sisters, stepdad and myself all jumped aboard a train, and headed to St. Louis, MO to visit the Arch. Little did I realize then, that this would be our last family vacation. A few weeks went by and Easter was approaching. On the evening of April 1st, my mother rushed my stepfather to the hospital in Manhattan, KS. After a few hours and getting him checked in, my mother returned home without Chris. She gave my sisters and myself to options.

Option 1: Go to the hospital with her.

Option 2: Wait at home for my aunt to arrive and take us to our grandparents house (mother's parents).

I personally decided to go to the hospital. That evening, it began to rain. I sat in the cold, quiet hospital room alone and eventually fell asleep. On the early morning of April 2nd (Good Friday), my mother and the hospital Chaplain (who happened to be a classmate's father) startled me and told me that my stepdad passed away. I broke down crying. I did not know what to do. I was in disbelief, anger and heartbroken.

On that day, I made a commitment to myself that I would continue advocating, raising funds and awareness to further advance pancreatic cancer research. Littel did I know that I would eventually become someone that SO many friends and family go to now, seeking words of advice, assistance or being a shoulder for them to vent. As time has gone by, the pain of losing my stepdad has not gone away, just became easier to cope with.

This year, I have set an ambitious goal of raising $14,000 to honor the legacy and impact that my stepfather left behind 14 years ago. His love, compassion and willingness to serve others will continue to radiate through my actions and thoughts. With your support we can continue to advance pancreatic cancer patients and provide support to patients across the country!

I Stride for:

- Chris Parker (Stepfather) -2010

- Robert "Bob" Lada (Neighbor) - 2015

- Richard "Dick" Shermoen (Family Friend) - 2020

And the many others that I have met diagnosed and influenced by pancreatic cancer. See more