Empowering Change: How Advocacy Organizations Transform Communities
Pancreatic cancer can turn life upside down, and finding a supportive community is essential for patients and caregivers alike. To shed light on the resources available for those affected, Let’s Win is launching a series that highlights various advocacy organizations committed to this cause. In the face of such a daunting diagnosis, the unity of patients, doctors, and researchers is vital. Donyel Jackson, founder of the Scott Eli Jackson Foundation, emphasizes, “We must come together for one fight, one hope, and one mission.”
The Griffith Family Foundation: A Legacy of Hope
The Griffith Family Foundation was born from the vision of Greg Griffith, who courageously battled pancreatic cancer for 19 months beginning in 2011. His wife, Cathy Griffith, took his dream of leveraging basketball to combat this disease and established the foundation in his memory. Based in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, the organization believes that aiding others can help heal the heartache of loss.
- The foundation’s Sideline Cancer youth initiative is unique, engaging students to harness their entrepreneurial spirit to raise awareness and funds.
- Year-round, the foundation organizes various fundraising campaigns, including a notable basketball tournament that features the Sideline Cancer team. Since 2010, they have contributed over $295,000 to pancreatic cancer research.
Cathy shares her optimism, stating, “I CAN see hope and collaboration through people uniting to make pancreatic cancer treatable and curable.”
Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation: A Personal Mission
Founded in 1999 after Michael Rolfe’s battle with pancreatic cancer, the Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation originated from a grassroots effort led by his family in Chicago. Their mission focuses on improving early detection methods to prevent others from experiencing similar hardships.
Executive Director Stacia Hart, whose mother passed away from the disease, emphasizes the importance of personalized support. “We aim to connect families with the right resources and doctors tailored to their unique situations,” she explains.
- The foundation actively funds research grants and promotes awareness of early detection through educational initiatives, including Wellness Wednesdays—free Facebook Live sessions with experts for patients worldwide.
Hart reflects on her journey, saying, “Supporting others during tough times has become therapeutic for me. The families we connect with become part of our extended family.”
Scott Eli Jackson Foundation: Bridging Gaps
In 2013, Scott Jackson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a moment that left both him and his wife, Donyel, devastated. Realizing the lack of support for families navigating this disease, Donyel vowed to honor her husband’s memory by establishing the Scott Eli Jackson Foundation in New Orleans.
Despite losing Scott just four months post-diagnosis, Donyel has been relentless in raising awareness and enhancing early detection efforts. “Our mission is to improve communication between patients and doctors and educate about the early signs of pancreatic cancer,” she states.
Donyel’s personal experience with cancer, having battled breast cancer herself, has shaped the foundation’s initiatives. They include programs like Bold and Beautiful, which helps women regain confidence through beauty services and a Nutrition and Wellness Program that promotes healthy eating with fresh produce from local markets.
“We operate entirely through volunteers,” Donyel emphasizes. “I genuinely believe that planting seeds of hope will yield positive results.”
These three organizations exemplify the power of community and collective action in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Through their innovative programs and unwavering support, they provide essential resources for patients and families facing this challenging disease. If you or someone you know is navigating pancreatic cancer, reach out to these foundations to connect with a community that cares.
