A Minnesota woman is honoring her mother while making a difference through cups of coffee. Author: Heidi Wigdahl Updated: 9:19 AM CST March 6, 2021
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minnesota Coffee can bring people together. Kathie Kemi of Cloquet, Minnesota has built her relationships and community over cups of coffee.
That inspired her daughter, Kym Jolstad, to create a coffee in honor of her mom.
It started in August 2019 when Kemi was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Jolstad wanted to do something to support her mom. Can I do the walk to help support it? I had done a lot of that with my dad. He had MS and so when I went to look at the walk, I was like actually I don t want to do just one event. I want to raise awareness and really have this ongoing, Jolstad recalled.
Article Contributed by Nicole Lise Feingold | Published on Thursday, March 11, 2021
“And I don’t get anxious about my pancreas. To be honest, I’m not even sure what that thing does. I’m just so grateful that it’s in me.” Working at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) this line immediately stuck out. I was streaming
Ryan Montbleau’s new record but was distracted making a cup of tea. Hearing my non-profit’s namesake as the kettle began to spit and shout, I realized I had to dive further into “Ankles,” or my work would never forgive me. The song seemed silly from the first lines, “I am thankful for my ankle. And I never think about them, but they balance me wherever I go. Unless I’m sitting down and then I think about them even less you know.” Once I started to pay attention, I recognized the profoundness of its meaning. The tune is also addicting. I absolutely adore Montbleau’ calming vocals and the earthy tones of the instrument arrang
“Your mother has pancreatic cancer.”
When the doctor said those words to him and his mom Joanne, Kyle McMahon cried, fell to the ground and was inconsolable. “I thought it was a death sentence.”
Just hours after the diagnosis, Kyle began his research. He said the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) kept coming up in his online searches. He called PanCAN’s Patient Services immediately.
“We need a miracle,” he said.
“The case manager was great. She told me to breathe and helped calm me down. She explained the importance of getting my mom’s tumor profiled and focusing on the specifics of her cancer.”
Year in Review: PanCAN’s Community Gets Creative by
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Nothing stops the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) community from taking action against pancreatic cancer. And in 2020, we saw how powerful you are.
PurpleStride Maryland masked up and stayed safe while raising funds and awareness to fight pancreatic cancer.
From pivoting to virtual PurpleStride without missing a step to enthusiastic personal fundraising through Wage Hope My Way and Facebook, you masked up, socially distanced and put your purple passion on full display. Our committed volunteer leaders continued moving forward with important training and development via our virtual PanCAN Academy series and ongoing Zoom Affiliate meetings and strategizing.
Budget Passed By Congress Includes Increase In Federal Funding For Cancer Research
Advocates From Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Were Instrumental in Securing Bipartisan Support For Pancreatic Cancer Research at Department of Defense
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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ Congress delivered a key victory for pancreatic cancer patients and researchers today by passing its Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget. In response to the advocacy efforts of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), the spending package includes $15 million for the Department of Defense s (DoD) dedicated Pancreatic Cancer Research Program, more than doubling last year s inaugural investment. In addition, the package includes an overall increase in the nation s investment in biomedical research funding of $42.9 billion to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $6.56 billion to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).