Kara Young

The why and why it matters ....

Being from a small, close knit community, it is already well known that I have chosen the nursing profession to fulfill my career goals. I have had the pleasure of being a nurse for the past 14 years. I have worked in a variety of hospital settings including medical surgical units, special care units, trauma and emergency medicine. Serving as an EMT in the very beginning of my career provided me the opportunity to take care of the sick and injured in my very own community. This lead to a sense of pride and purpose for what I do. 

Four years ago, I proudly accepted a position working in General Surgery, where I am able to personally care for and connect with those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This has become deeply meaningful to me. When a patient is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, their future is clouded with doubt, uncertainty, and fear of the unknown. My job? To make sure they don't take that journey alone. 

According to the American Cancer Society, "About 67,530 people (35,190 men and 32,340 women) will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. About 52,740 people (27,230 men and 25,510 women) will die of pancreatic cancer."

While these numbers seem bleak, there is hope. Hope for treating pancreatic cancer is rooted in research — and that research is made possible through the support of a community united by the same goal.

Taking care of patients with pancreatic cancer, and having someone I loved diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, ignites my passion and drive to help those with this diagnosis. 

This will be my third year to have the honor walking in the Lustgarten Foundation pancreatic cancer Research Fundraiser Walk. All donations go 100% toward pancreatic cancer research so that together, we can find treatments and cures to end pancreatic cancer. Research today can help the generations of tomorrow so that there are less fatal outcomes from this diagnosis. 

I am personally asking for donations to support me, as I walk with a team, in this research walk that I feel so passionately about. Any donation large or small is one step closer in being able to help support something so near and dear to my heart.