The Good Fight: In Memory of Lindsay Tam

The Good Fight

Since 2011, Lindsay's family and friends have raised nearly $292,796 through a variety of activities including the Journey to Conquer Cancer (Princess Margaret Hospital), the Lindsay Tam Memorial Golf Tournament and direct donations to Pancreatic Cancer Canada. We continue these incredible efforts to honour her memory and support pancreatic cancer research through this page. Donations can be made by clicking on the donate now button above.

Lindsay Tam was kind, selfless and an inspiration for others. Lindsay possessed a grace complimented by a duality that made her more than any one thing, at any one time. Throughout her life, Lindsay's knack of making lasting genuine instant connections with everyone she met made her unforgettable.

At 20 years old, Lindsay was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and thus began the battle of her life. She did not let the disease define her. Instead, she took charge of her life with indomitable strength and optimism. Even though her schooling was delayed due to having to undergo major surgery and gruelling chemotherapy treatments, she completed her undergrad degree cum laude at McGill University in 2008.

Lindsay's disease made her passion for the disadvantaged in society even stronger. Lindsay saw law not only as a career but also as a way to aid communities in need. She enrolled in the Juris Doctor program at Ottawa University, having to negotiate an endless barrage of chemo and radiation appointments with her program course calendars. She did all this with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, determination and a matter-of-fact attitude devoid of an ounce of self-pity.

Lindsay also quickly became a champion for pancreatic cancer awareness once she realized the great need for a cure, especially considering that pancreatic cancer is the deadliest yet most seriously underfunded cancer, receiving less than 1% of all research and charitable funding. On May 15, 2011, on her off week from chemo treatment, Lindsay led our team - "Pick A Fight" to participate in a marathon to fundraise for pancreatic cancer research at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. Our team raised over $18,000, no small feat. This past year, Team "Pick a Fight", rallied together to honour their dear friend by raising close to $30,000 in her memory.

Lindsay, under the pseudonym of "Carrie Ng Grace", wrote an inspiring blog titled "The Good Fight: My Battle with Pancreatic Cancer and Advocacy for a Cure" on the Pancreatic Cancer website. As explained by Carrie, "This blog will tell my story as it unfolds as well as reflect on the experiences I've already been through. I hope that it helps others out there facing cancer realize that they are not alone, that there is hope, and that no matter how bad your situation is - there is a reason to fight..."

Sadly, Lindsay passed away on November 4, 2011, at age 26, after battling with the disease for over five years. Lindsay not only left behind memories of a beautiful young woman with a wide smile and infectious laugh, she also left behind the virtues of what it means to fight a good fight. Although she is no longer physically with us, she won her battle with pancreatic cancer in the sense that she now has an army of people continuing her fight.