Danielle Buchanan, a proud Texan, devoted wife, and mother of three boys shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey on this episode of the Project Purple Podcast with host Dino Verrelli. A registered nurse and lifelong picture of health, Danielle reflects on how her life changed suddenly in February 2021, when unusual symptoms after a family Super Bowl celebration led to imaging that revealed a mass on her pancreas. Just 48 hours later, on her 48th birthday, she was diagnosed with Stage 2A pancreatic cancer.

She describes her grueling treatment journey, including chemotherapy, radiation, and the complex Whipple procedure, and how she has fortunately had no evidence of disease since early 2022. Danielle also opens up about her survivor’s guilt, and emphasizes the critical role of hope and community support, from family members who cared for her three boys to the “prayer warriors” who surrounded her.

Danielle reveals that during a difficult period of depression post-treatment, she felt a clear calling from God to return to nursing, but with renewed purpose. Now working full-time as a radiation nurse in an oncology infusion center, she supports patients undergoing chemotherapy, and Danielle shares that she draws from her own journey to offer compassion, insight, and hope.

She smiles as she shares how she is now living life to the fullest and encourages others facing pancreatic cancer that they can, too. Danielle urges everyone to advocate for themselves and to “hold on to hope like it’s your job,” reminding us all that even a difficult diagnosis doesn’t define the life you can live.

Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more stories from the pancreatic cancer community.

To learn more or donate to Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit www.projectpurple.org.

In this eye-opening episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli has a compelling conversation with Amy Johnston of Pennsylvania, a 34-year-old mother of three young kids, who says that listening to her instincts and advocating for herself made all the difference in her journey with pancreatic cancer.

Amy talks about how just a couple of months ago, she was at her healthiest—working out five days a week, eating better, and feeling strong after having her third child. Then, in January, she says she was suddenly hit with severe GI pain during dinner, and immediately knew something was not right.

She describes how she was continually told by her doctors that it was nothing serious, even after asking several times if the problem was related to her pancreas. Frustrated, Amy shares that she switched doctors and hospitals, which eventually led to the discovery of a 1.7 cm tumor. After a biopsy confirmed pancreatic cancer, she recounts the shock of learning the tumor had actually been visible months earlier, but was missed due to poor imaging and assumptions based on her youth.

Choosing to have surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, Amy shares how she underwent a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy in May. In early June, she began her 12 rounds of chemotherapy and shares candidly about the challenges of treatment and the importance of staying active and positive despite the fatigue and side effects. She also talks about the comfort she’s found in community support, creative outlets like crocheting, and especially in her growing faith, sharing that she plans to be baptized in a few months.

Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of advocating for yourself and pushing for answers. Amy stresses, “If I hadn’t switched doctors, I could have thought this was a stomach bug.” She encourages others to focus on the facts of their own situation, connect with others facing similar journeys, and maintain hope throughout.

Tune in for an honest and inspiring episode about resilience, motherhood, and faith in the face of pancreatic cancer.

Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more powerful stories from the pancreatic cancer community.

If you’d like to donate to or support Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ and follow us on social media with these links:

https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple

https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/

https://twitter.com/Run4Purple

In this extremely motivational episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli speaks with Michael Kennedy of Vermont, a lawyer and avid runner whose 20 years on the roads and trails unexpectedly prepared him for the toughest marathon of his life: pancreatic cancer.

Michael shares how his story began in 2023, a year packed with long runs, two marathons, and a 100‑mile relay. But when back pain crept in after the relay, he brushed it off as age or overtraining. But within weeks, his symptoms escalated: rapid weight loss, changes in digestion, and eventually, a scan soon confirmed what no runner expects to hear: a tumor was on his pancreas.

He recounts how his diagnosis in October 2023 launched him into treatment with the same discipline he’d honed as an athlete. Michael reflects on the months of chemotherapy, the neuropathy that forced him to wear mittens just to grab milk from the fridge, and the exhausting stretch of radiation—all to make surgery possible. In June 2024, he underwent a Whipple procedure with an innovative addition he advocated to have: a cutting‑edge CIVASheet radiation implant that allowed him to avoid post‑surgery chemo.

Michael also describes how, even through treatment, he kept running. Running became a lifeline: “It’s not gonna take the things from me unless it beats ’em out of me,” he says. He explains how discovering Project Purple gave him something to look forward to: a goal of finishing a marathon in the same calendar year as his Whipple surgery. Just months after leaving the hospital, he crossed the finish line of a December marathon in Jacksonville wearing a Project Purple singlet, and has since completed other races with the organization.

In this conversation, Mike opens up about scanxiety, hope, and the power of staying positive. He discusses how his runner’s mindset and experience being a high school basketball coach have taught him that you can do hard things one step at a time, which helped him through chemo and into recovery. And he offers practical advice: know the symptoms, and when life hands you a challenge, focus on WIN: What’s Important Now.

Mike’s story is one of three Ps: positivity, perseverance, and the unexpected ways our passions can prepare us for life’s biggest battles.

You can find Mike on Instagram at: http://instagram.com/mkennedyvt/

Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast to hear more stories from the pancreatic cancer community.

And, if you’d like to learn more about or donate to Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/.

In this episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli speaks with Carmen Stewart, a pancreatic cancer survivor from across the globe, calling in all the way from Johannesburg, South Africa. Her story is one of perseverance, clarity, and transformation in the face of staggering odds.

Carmen opens up about her whirlwind diagnosis in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, which followed months of persistent pain, varying symptoms, and repeated misdiagnoses, from gastroenteritis and hepatitis. She talks about how she pushed for surgery before lockdown hit in her country, against her doctor’s initial plan, and how she underwent a Whipple procedure alone, with no support system allowed into the hospital due to pandemic restrictions.

She goes into detail about her surgery, saying her surgeon called it a “miracle,” as her tumor had been capped and fully contained, preventing the cancer from spreading. Carmen explains her recovery wasn’t easy—it was complicated by sepsis, delays in chemotherapy, a contraction of COVID-19, and the emotional toll of isolation. Still, she forged ahead, adding that it was the help of natural therapies, the love of and from her daughters, and an unwavering will to survive that kept her going.

Carmen speaks candidly about survivor’s guilt and the reality of life after treatment, which changed drastically for her in many ways. Her perspective is grounded in realism: “If it comes back, I’ll deal with it. But if I’m clear, that’s great.” She discusses how her experience reshaped her life—from managing her health and finishing her degree, to letting go of fear and finding joy in the present.

Her message is clear: trust your instincts, choose the right medical team, and don’t ignore what your body is telling you. Tune in to hear Carmen’s candid conversation about navigating illness during a global crisis, rebuilding after the trauma that comes with this disease, and finding meaning in survival.

Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast to hear more stories from the pancreatic cancer community.

To learn more or donate to Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/.

Bill Perkins, founder of Top Fan Rivalry, a baseball-centered community organization and a pancreatic cancer survivor, speaks with host Dino Verrelli in this powerful episode of the Project Purple Podcast. Hailing from Laguna Beach in the OC, Bill’s story is as candid as it is inspiring.

He shares how a moment in early 2022, when his wife noticed he looked jaundiced, set off a whirlwind of tests that led to a shocking diagnosis. What doctors first believed was a harmless blockage turned out to be pancreatic cancer. Within weeks, Bill underwent a grueling Whipple procedure, followed by a slow recovery and seven months of intense chemotherapy.

He describes the emotional toll of being just 46 years old and hearing words like “life expectancy,” the terrifying stretch when a misread scan made it seem like the cancer had returned, and the strength it took to face survivor’s guilt even after being declared cancer-free. Through it all, Bill credits faith, humor, a mental commitment to never giving up, and his wife's unwavering support as his anchors.

A lifelong baseball fan, he opens up about how MLB’s Stand Up To Cancer tribute moves him to tears and why a Rocky quote—“It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward”—became his mantra.

Now, more than three years out from surgery, Bill is channeling his resilience into helping others. Partnering with Project Purple, he’s walking the equivalent distance from Dodger Stadium to Yankee Stadium (2,791 miles!) to raise awareness and prove that “you can do hard things,” hoping his journey inspires anyone facing dark days.

Bill’s advice is simple but hard-earned: be patient, fight with your loved ones by your side, keep a positive attitude, and remember, “the sun always comes up the next day.”

Tune in for an episode full of honesty, perspective, and hope as Bill reminds us what it means to get knocked down, get back up, and keep moving forward.

To support Bill’s fundraising efforts, visit https://donate.projectpurple.org/campaign/694042/donate.

Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more stories from the pancreatic cancer community.

If you’d like to donate to Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit www.projectpurple.org/.

In this episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli speaks with Lew Worthington, a former pastor and seminary professor turned author from Lansing, Michigan. He courageously shares his remarkable journey with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, describing how a persistent side pain quickly turned into a life-altering diagnosis in 2020 that he was told gave him just months to live.

Lew recounts to listeners the difficult road he had ahead of him, undergoing intensive chemotherapy, targeted radiation, and devastating side effects. He mentions that, despite the odds of survival, he reached remission, only to face a recurrence of cancer that tested his resolve and faith once again. Fortunately, Lew shares that his health is stable, and he stays active playing tennis two to three times a week.

Despite the bleak statistics surrounding pancreatic cancer, Lew’s resilience propelled him forward. His story goes far beyond the medical, exploring profound reflections on life, hope, mortality, and spirituality. He grapples with the “why” of suffering and shares how his faith evolved through moments of doubt and acceptance. Lew also talks about the importance of compassion, not just from loved ones, but from the wider community.

He discusses his recent book, Unlikely Hope: My Journey From Dying to Living with Pancreatic Cancer, a thoughtful autobiography that chronicles not only his two-time battle with cancer, but also the meaning he discovered along the way, blending medical realities with philosophical and theological insights.

Listen in on this moving conversation that offers not only a story of survival, but also encouragement to listeners to always cling to whatever hope they can find, all while advocating for improved early pancreatic cancer detection.

Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast to hear more stories from the pancreatic cancer community.

Learn more about Lew on his website https://lewworthington.com/ and find his book on Amazon here https://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Hope-Journey-Living-Pancreatic/dp/B0F896HY38.

If you’d like to donate to Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit www.projectpurple.org/.

To learn more about Project Purple, visit www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links:

www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple

www.instagram.com/projectpurple/

twitter.com/Run4Purple

www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

Every Labor Day, over 5,000 runners and 10,000 spectators fill the streets of New Haven for one of Connecticut’s most beloved events. At the heart of it all is John Bysiewicz, race director of the Faxon Law New Haven Road Races since 1989 and founder of JB Sports, the company behind over 20 more races and 30,000 participants annually.

In this heartfelt episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli sits down with John to talk about how the New Haven Road Race has grown from a local favorite to a nationally recognized event. From neighborhood routes and live music to Olympic-caliber athletes and college scholarships, the race has always been about more than just running; it’s about giving back.

John also opens up about his dear friend Mark Gilhuly, the longtime race announcer for the event. Known as “Mr. Happy,” John goes into detail about the type of person Mark was and how he brought joy and connection to every runner who crossed the finish line. Memories are shared of Mark’s optimism during his Stage 4 diagnosis, and how the race continues to honor his legacy.

In a full-circle moment, Project Purple has been named a signature charity of the race, and John shares how proud he is that his daughter, Sophie, is running the New York City Marathon with Project Purple in Mark’s honor.

This episode is about more than talking about the race where Project Purple got its start 15 years ago; it’s about honoring a legacy, building community, and making each step count.

Want to run for a reason or cheer on an unforgettable day in New Haven? Learn more and register here: https://www.projectpurple.org/events/new-haven-road-races/

Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more powerful stories from the pancreatic cancer community: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

If you’d like to donate to or support Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ and follow us on social media with these links:

https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple

https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/

https://twitter.com/Run4Purple

“I think that’s what I would define pancreatic cancer as: never, ever give up.”

In this powerful episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli speaks with Kelianne O’Shea, a 29-year-old from Cape May, New Jersey, who was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer just one year ago. Now on maintenance chemo and marking a full year of what she calls “surviving pancreatic cancer,” Kelianne opens up about the physical and emotional rollercoaster of facing a devastating diagnosis at just 28 years old.

She shares the story of her sudden symptoms and the ER visit that changed her life. Doctors initially gave her just months to live. But after a year of aggressive chemotherapy, her tumor has shrunk in half, and her medical team is hopeful.

Kelianne reflects on how she navigated major life milestones, including getting married and going on her honeymoon, while undergoing treatment. Her story is one of strength, acceptance, and emotional honesty. She speaks candidly about the harm of toxic positivity, emphasizing the importance of allowing cancer patients to feel and express their emotions freely. “You don’t always have to be positive,” she says. “Sometimes, you just want to be sad, and that’s okay.”

Now, Kelianne is sharing her journey publicly, using social media to educate others and connect with fellow survivors. From finding a cancer therapist to building a strong support system, her insights are heartfelt and grounded in experience. “This journey isn’t linear,” she reminds listeners.

Kelianne’s story is a testament to perseverance and the healing power of connection.

You can find her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keliannefield9/.

Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more powerful stories from the pancreatic cancer community.

If you’d like to donate to Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/.

To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links:

https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple

https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/

https://twitter.com/Run4Purple

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

“I’ve given myself the title of ‘cat with nine lives.’”

In this inspiring episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli talks with Toni Bravo, a pancreatic cancer survivor and student at the University of Notre Dame, to share her incredible cancer journey. Toni opens up about the shocking moment she was diagnosed during her junior year of college. The diagnosis came after an accident where she was hit by a car in a crash. Despite an initial CT scan missing the tumor, Toni’s instincts told her something was wrong. Two months later, a follow-up CT scan revealed the truth.

Toni reflects on how her life changed when she received the diagnosis alone, away from home. Her personal mantras, “Everything happens for a reason” and “Focus on the things you can control,” helped her navigate the challenges she faced. “I’ve always looked at everything as a redirection of my life. I’ve always had a pretty optimistic outlook,” she says. Drawing on childhood lessons, like adaptability, Toni shares how her experience taught her to cherish time.

Throughout the conversation, Toni talks about the impact cancer had on her life as a young adult, processing the surgery to remove the tumor, how it changed her college career, grappling with mortality at just 20 years old, and finding peace. Her story is a powerful testament to hope, resilience, and strength.

Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more powerful stories from the pancreatic cancer community.

If you’d like to donate to Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/.

To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple

https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/

https://twitter.com/Run4Purple

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ

In this heartfelt episode of the Project Purple Podcast, host Dino Verrelli sits down with Mark Wade, a stage III pancreatic cancer survivor, to share his deeply personal journey from diagnosis to remission. Mark opens up about the shock of his diagnosis in April 2021, the whirlwind of chemotherapy and radiation, and undergoing a Whipple procedure later that year.

Mark reflects on the emotional toll of treatment and the unexpected challenges that came after, including anxiety and the difficulty of adjusting to life post-treatment. He shares how therapy helped him process his experience and why he believes in the importance of speaking honestly about mental health during and after cancer.

Throughout the conversation, Mark also discusses the impact of his diagnosis on his career in education and the powerful support he received from colleagues, friends, and his wife. His story is one of vulnerability, resilience, and the ongoing work of healing—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Subscribe to the Project Purple Podcast for more powerful stories from the pancreatic cancer community.

If you’d like to donate to Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, please visit https://www.projectpurple.org/.

To learn more about Project Purple, visit https://www.projectpurple.org/ or follow us on social media at these links: https://www.facebook.com/Run4ProjectPurple

https://www.instagram.com/projectpurple/

https://twitter.com/Run4Purple

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgA8nVhUY6_MLj5z3rnDQZQ