Jillian Rafferty

Why I'm doing the 18-Hole Stroll

I had my own close brush with pancreatic cancer two years ago. In late 2022, doctors inadvertently discovered a massive tumor in my pancreas. Six weeks later, surgeons removed two-thirds of my pancreas and a bunch of lymph nodes. The surgery led to follow-up procedures - and to a host of problems that arise when you're left with just a sliver of an important organ.

But I got extraordinarily lucky. My doctors caught and removed my tumor before it could become invasive pancreatic cancer. Though my life is different than it was before, I am fundamentally OK, and I have access to excellent monitoring and care that helps me stay well. I thank my lucky stars every day that I get what everyone deserves - but what we often take for granted: a future.

Pancreatic cancer is rarely caught before it's already spread. No matter when it's caught, it's nearly impossible to treat. Precious few people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive for a year post-diagnosis. Still fewer survive five years. Almost none ever get to say they are cancer free.

I'm raising money for pancreatic cancer research in the hopes that we can work on catching pancreatic cancer earlier, and on finding new and effective treatments for those diagnosed later in the progression of the disease. I hope you can help me give others the future I'm so grateful to have.