In July of 2007, my father, Fred Wade, asked my oldest son if he would go with him to Las Vegas. I remember my son, Wes, coming home from the trip and saying my Dad was getting tired very easily while he was on that trip. Wes was correct because, in August, my Dad became suddenly very ill. At the emergency room, they diagnosed him with pancreatic cancer. I had never heard of pancreatic cancer, but the hospital was hopeful they would be able to do a Whipple, a procedure I had never heard of before, but one I quickly learned about. Sadly, Fred’s pancreatic cancer had already progressed too far, so he wasn’t a candidate for the Whipple. Like all cancers, it is very painful, and it was hard watching him suffer. He died on December 20, 2007. He is greatly missed by myself, my two brothers, his numerous grandchildren who hold all their parents to his standards as grandparents, and everyone who knew him. 

Now it’s 2023 and 16 years later pancreatic cancer has reared its ugly head again in our family! My beautiful sister-in-law Gigi was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the middle of March 2023. She has a great doctor who is at UCLA Medical Center and is undergoing chemotherapy every other week. My brother, Scott is at her side and her daughter, Amanda has been helping both her parents get through this journey! For those of you who know Gigi, she is so much fun to be with. She has what I would call a wicked sense of humor and you are always laughing when she is around. For you who don’t know her, she and my brother, Scott have 3 beautiful children, Brent, Ryan, and Amanda. They have been married for 32 years. They raised their family in Rolling Hills Estates here in California. Gigi grew up in Kihei, Hawaii but fortunately for the Wade family, she moved to Los Angeles to get away from a lovely island to the bright lights of California.  

Please join us in supporting the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer at the L.A. Cancer Challenge on October 22, 2023. Since 1998, LACC participants of all ages have walked or run in honor of loved ones to raise money for research and fund patient programs. Energized and hopeful, we proudly wear our purple tees, carry posters and photos of loved ones, and put our efforts into finding a cure. You can also join us virtually! 

If you'd like to support us, please consider contributing to our fundraising efforts. No amount is too small! Together we can make a difference.