In Memory of Big Rig Lor and Uncle Hemi

Join Us In Support of Pancreatic Cancer Canada

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I’m reaching out with a heavy yet hopeful heart to share our family’s story—and to ask for your help in making a difference.

On April 3, 2023, my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Just over a month later, on May 8, 2023, she passed away. After her death, we learned that at least four of her blood relatives on her side had also battled pancreatic cancer. Most recently, my uncle Jim Olson—my mom’s brother-- was diagnosed at the end of May 2025 and passed on October 12, 2025. This heartbreaking pattern has made it painfully clear: this disease hits families like ours hard—and it is past time we fight back.

Why this matters in Canada

• Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in Canada.
  The current five-year survival rate is about 10 %, meaning 9 out of 10 people diagnosed will not survive beyond five years.
  (Source: Canadian Cancer Society, 2024)
• It is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in Canada—yet it receives only a small fraction of national research funding.
  Despite accounting for nearly 7 % of all cancer deaths, pancreatic cancer receives less than 2 % of total Canadian cancer research funding.
  (Source: Pancreatic Cancer Canada, 2024)
• Incidence is rising.
  Roughly 6,900 Canadians were diagnosed in 2024, and that number continues to increase each year.
  (Source: Canadian Cancer Statistics Report, 2024)
• Progress has been slow.
  Unlike other cancers where early detection and treatment advances have improved survival dramatically, pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult to detect early—often diagnosed at a late stage when options are limited.

Why your donation matters

Every dollar raised for pancreatic cancer research brings us closer to earlier detection, better treatments, and improved outcomes. More funding means more hope—for families like mine and for the thousands of Canadians who will hear this diagnosis each year.

How you can help

• Donate to my fundraiser in memory of Big Rig Lor and Uncle Hemi.  Your donation will fund vital research and advocate for patients and families.
• Share our story to raise awareness of how urgently change is needed.
• Support families facing this diagnosis, so no one walks through it alone.

By supporting this cause, you’re not only honoring my mother and uncle’s memory but also helping to create a future where more Canadians survive pancreatic cancer. Together, we can turn grief into action and loss into lasting hope.

With love,

Kit