PurpleStride Cleveland, Ohio - June 9, 2018

It's coming on that time of year - time to raise awareness and funds in the fight against #pancreaticcancer here in #Cleveland and beyond!  This year our event will take place on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at the Cleveland MetroPark Zoo - your registration fee let's you enjoy the Zoo the rest of the day at no additional charge.  We call that a Win - Win.

So - please consider joining our team, or making a tax deductible donation today.  

http://support.pancan.org/goto/marykaye18 ... Every Single Dollar matters in this fight.

2016 Cleveland #PurpleStride open for registration

The 15th Annual #Cleveland #PurpleStride is ready to accept your registration!  Join Ed's All Star Team as a Runner, walker or volunteer and help make strides in the fight against #PancreaticCancer... Just click here:  http://purplestride.kintera.org/cleveland/edsallstars

Excited to see what this years team looks like and hoping for another Passion Team year!

Ed's Team has been a passion team since it's inception in 2011 and to date we have raised over $34,000 ... Looking forward to reaching $40K+ in 2016!

A New Year to #WageHope on the war that is #PancreaticCancer in #Cleveland & Beyond!

It is extraordinarily difficult for me to wrap my little brain around the fact that, come this summer, Ed will be gone for four years.  Four Years - What!  It feels like yesterday we just started our relationship, which officially began in January of 2006 - by April I was incredibly smitten and knew he was "The One" .... And when you lose your "The One" nothing is ever quite the same again.

I still mourn, I still get sad - but I also laugh when things are funny and live life to the fullest. Because, to truly honor the ones you love and have lost, there is no choice.  And to be honest, they would want us to move forward and be happy. 

We had such a successful 2014 with regards to our PurpleStride Team and our fundraising & awareness efforts!  Ed's 2014 PurpleStride Cleveland Team raised just over $10,000 - this funds free patient/care giver support services, funds research and helps the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network advocate for a cure with our government.  It's important stuff to be sure!

Our 2015 Team registration link is up & waiting for members and donations - you can do both here: http://purplestride.kintera.org/cleveland/marykaye  Even a $5 (hell $2) donation makes a difference with this disease, when I say every single dollar counts, I mean it!

This year we have a new logo, which we will be incorporating onto a Team T - they will be $6 each with all proceeds going to our team's fundraising goal of $6,000.  As I am not shaving my head this year, I think this is a realistic goal and one I truly hope we meet.  Our new logo was the brain child of my cousin, Rushelle Barsa - chief principal at Elegant Embroidery in Strongsville, Ohio.  Last year on PurpleStride, when returning to their car, Rushelle, my other cousin Jill, and their children found the vehicle covered in butterflys - it was taken as a sign that Ed was with us on that glorious morning.  And, as a butterfly emerges from darkness into something beautiful, our Team is truly something beautiful born out of this awful monster, Pancreatic Cancer.  Since 2011, our team has raised just over $28,000 and we are looking forward to getting that number well over 30K this year!

I also had the incredible experience of being awarded the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Media Representative of the Year - a national award.  Incredible. Seriously.  When I began volunteering in late 2010 I had zero clue what I was getting into, but I embraced the role - learned from the experienced Media Rep's from around the country (shout out to Andrea from Pittsburgh and Todd from NJ to name a few) .... became great friends with other Media Reps (Jake a.k.a. Baby Bro from Kansas City and Karl from Denver) ... and worked hard to achieve good things.  Cleveland, I truly believe, is now very aware that there is a Cleveland Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - and that we are working hard to change the future.

So - Happy, Healthy New Year all - and let's #WageHope in 2015 and beyond!  Learn more ways to help by clicking on one of these links:

www.pancan.org   -or-  www.wagehope.org

Community Outreach Leadership Training - aka #COLT2014

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network presents

COLT 2014 in Los Angeles, California!

So, it was COLT time again 2014 ... Exciting, stressful, fun, emotional, draining ... you name it, we experience it in 2.5 days while battling jet lag from flying to California. But, hey, when you get a chance to spend time with your purple family from around the country, you jump at it, however exhausting it proves to be!

Thus, the Cleveland, Ohio Affiliate Core Roles of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network spent this past weekend in Los Angeles with our @pancan (follow them on twitter) family. We had intense training, met and spoke with researchers, had a few cocktails, shared tears and, of course, laughter. (Learn more at pancan.org)

The end of our weekend is highlighted with a dinner and awards ceremony followed by drinks & dancing! I was especially excited for this year as I was nominated as Media Representative for 2014. May not seem like a big deal to some, but to me it meant a huge deal. Why, well, that Ed continues to be honored, that we still fight for all who have been diagnosed and are battling, for those lost we keep your voice alive, and that by 2020 we will double the survival rate! No more 6% - No More!

I am honored and proud to say, I was indeed named the 2014 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Media Representative of the year. I am humbled and share this with the entire Cleveland Affiliate who work tirelessly for NE Ohio to ensure the future of this disease will be changed! Together we will move forward, grow our PurpleStride to match those "big markets", continue to have our PurpleLight National Vigil of Hope to remember and honor our purple warriors and together, we will #WageHope!

Here is a sneak peek at our weekend - please take a few minutes to see how #Cleveland represented our city proud in Los Angeles by clicking this link - enjoy: https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A85oqs3qYwuq7

Cleveland Connection: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network “Purple Stride” Walk « CBS Cleveland

Listen to Cleveland's Dave Ramos talk to me about Pancreatic Cancer, what the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is about, and our upcoming PurpleStride Cleveland happening on June 21!  Also hear our incredible survivor Gail tell her story of Hope and progress!





Cleveland Connection: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network “Purple Stride” Walk « CBS Cleveland

To fight Pancreatic Cancer - PurpleStride Cleveland 2014 - Timed #5K, Fun Walk, Entertainment, Fun!

We are about 60 short days away from PurpleStride Cleveland 2014!  In the battle against Pancreatic Cancer, this is a day of hope, supporting the fighters and remembering our lost warriors!  It is inspirational.  It is about a community of people who know what the person standing next to them has been through and is going through.  Saturday, June 21, 2014 - Voinovich Park / Won't you join us or make a donation and help change the future of this Monster disease!  www.purplestride.org/cleveland

Take a moment and listen to our incredible survivor, Ken McManus, talk with Jim McIntyre about his battle and being a 5 year survivor, by clicking the link below.  The importance of #PurpleStride and how you can help make a difference in this battle.

http://am1420theanswer.blogspot.com/2014/04/purple-stride-cleveland-to-benefit-pcan.html?spref=fb

Selfie-Centered | The NonProfit Times - Runner Up is Pretty Cool!

Selfie-Centered | The NonProfit Times



What a cool little contest to be a part of....  And, being runner up is not too shabby at all!  Thrilled with the timing of the article being published - as Ed would have turned 51 tomorrow (Mr. Ides of March)!  So - Happy Birthday Baby... working hard to raise awareness and fight the fight for all the PC warriors out there.



How the man who interviewed me came up with the abbreviation "PCAN" is beyond me.... because I always say the entire name of the organization, it is ingrained in my soul to never abbreviate it.  But almost everyone who is not directly connected to the organization, abbreviates it. 



Here is the my runner up picture!

 

 

So - if anybody out there in cyber-space is feeling generous this St. Patty's Day weekend, and you want to throw some philanthropic dollars our way....   click on the link & make a donation, or better yet, join our team... 

http://purplestride.kintera.org/cleveland/edsallstars

 

We Want You to help in the fight!

 

Learn more at www.pancan.org

 

 

#PancreaticCancer #PancreaticCancerAwareness #Cleveland #PurpleStride #PurpleStrideCleveland #5KforCharityCleveland #FunWalkCharityCleveland #VoinovichPark #NorthCoastHarbor

 

PurpleStride Cleveland 2014 - Ed's All Stars Want YOU!

http://purplestride.kintera.org/cleveland/edsallstars

Feeling a little blue.... North East Ohio Weather gotcha down.... Want to feel all warm and fuzzy inside?  Then Register today for #PurpleStride Cleveland and join Ed's All Star Team.

This event is truly inspirational - it's a day of hope and joy, mixed with a few tears.  A little short on change right now, no worries, register for FREE as a volunteer... We need our volunteers - they make the event the successful walk/run that it is!   We would love a team filled to the brim with volunteers.  and I promise you - you will know you did something awesome that day and feel good when you go home!

So mark those calendars and get on board!

 

SATURDAY - JUNE 21, 2014 - VOINOVICH PARK AT NORTH COAST HARBOR

(Right behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

You won't be able to miss us, look for the purple)

Non-Profit Times Selfie Contest ... And The Winner Is.... Not Me!

Here is the copy of the announcement!  Although I didn't "win" - it was such fun and raised awareness!  And truly, that is what the goal always is.  To get the word out that this outstanding organization exists and is here to help anyone through the battle that is Pancreatic Cancer.  #2 - Works for me, hell, even if I came in 5th I'd be pleased, and because it is award season, I say.... It was an honor just being nominated!  And that is no exageration. 

http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/news-articles/and-the-winner-is/

The votes have been counted (and recounted) and we are now ready to announce the winner of the first NPT Selfie Contest. The winner, with 30.76 percent of the vote, is…
Drumroll
Kimberly Johnson, of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!

Kimberly’s photo of a Cystic Fibrosis patient clearly resonated with out audience and she will be the winner of a $100 AmEx Gift Card. Mary Kaye Mackulin of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network came in second place with 26.71 percent of the vote. Though there can only be one grand prize winner, all five of our finalists will be featured in an article in the March 1 issue of The NonProfit Times.
The full results can be viewed below:

Answer Choices–	Responses–
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network	26.71%
Everybody Eats	7.43%
Education Connection	13.69%
Heifer International	21.41%
Cystic Fibrosis Foundaiton	30.76%
Total	1,037

We at The NonProfit Times would like to thank everyone who participated in the NPT Selfie Contest this year. It was a lot of fun and we hope that we can revisit it again in the near future.

13

#NPT-Selfie Finalist - How Flippin' Cool is this!

Well - It's been a long time since I've posted on this blog!  Life is crazy busy and although I remain committed to the battle that is Pancreatic Cancer, the desire to write has not been very strong lately.  

I am not the kind of gal who "wins" much - the only "luck" I have is what I earn through hard work and dedication.  If I go to a casino, I might as well just wad up my money and toss it in a trash can, cause the odds of me winning anything by gambling are about non-existent.  I did, however, throw my picture into a contest to raise awareness for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - and low and behold - made the top 5!  And, it's not even some amazing picture - just a cool pic of me in Washington, D.C. in June 2013 participating in Advocacy Days & PurpleStride DC!

Here is the link to the site: 

http://www.thenonprofittimes.com/news-articles/introducing-the-nonprofit-selfie-finalists/#.UtlMnc3D3L8.twitter

Voting closes tomorrow (January 24, 2014) so I know that I won't get a butt-load of extra votes because I posted on this blog - but rather - just wanted to share this cool thing that happened.  It just goes to show ya, that with a little persistence, raising awareness can come in the strangest ways.

I continue to miss Ed daily - I don't cry too often because I don't have the every day sadness of watching him suffer.  I have random outbursts, however, at the strangest times.  Usually in the car driving because of a song that pops up on the radio.  He will always be a part of me and I cherish it deeply. 

And Don't Forget.............    PurpleStride Cleveland is right around the corner and we sure could use some great team members - and volunteers!  If you register as a volunteer, It's FREE!  And, you still have a ton of fun - believe me.  So mark Saturday, 6/21/2014 on your calendar and join us at Voinovich Park for a Great Day on a Great Lake!  This year marks our 13th consecutive PurpleStride and we'd love to see it be the BEST ever!  Just click here to join Ed's Team:  http://purplestride.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1093767&lis=1&kntae1093767=7A43DA8855714CC1875C3C4949C19853&team=5790211

Pancreatic Cancer remains one of the Deadliest Cancers - The Post Newspapers : Opinion

Shout out to The Post for publishing our LTE....  just found out today!  Happy Flippin' 50th BD to me!  I celebrate this week for myself and for my Ed who didn't get a chance to make this milestone BD.  I wear this number as a badge of honor - getting older is a privilege that too many Pancreatic Cancer victims do not get a chance to experience!  So Rock On CLE style folks!

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers - The Post Newspapers : Opinion

The 7th Annual Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day was a HUGE success.....  It is certainly not my cup of tea - doing the political side of this battle - but I was honored as the State Leader for Ohio and I took this opportunity and made the absolute most of it.  Congrat's to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network for organizing another GREAT year on the Hill.  600+ Strong to make our voices heard and to let the Gov't know - We Are Not Going Away anytime soon. 

PurpleStride Cleveland 2013 - A Great Day on a Great Lake

Well, to say PurpleStride Cleveland on June 1st was a huge success would be an understatement.  The new venue was fabulous, the weather held out, our emcee - Joe Pagonakis was his usual, incredible self and our Champion of Hope, Cleveland Browns own John Greco was as gracious as he is tall.  His Fiance' Jodi was also so warm and supportive.  It was truly a Great Day on a Great Lake and my heart was filled with joy! 

Photos-Glenn at The Purple Stride 5k Event « Q104 Cleveland

I am especially proud of Ed's All Star Dream Team 2013 - We rocked our fundraising and were the #3 Team - for me personally - hitting the goal of the #3 individual fund raiser was an extremely proud moment.  The weather held out for us and I got to enjoy an afternoon of love and friendship when it was over.  Am I burned out - you bet.  But I need to re-energize as I get ready to head to Capital Hill for our Advocacy Days to ensure congress does NOT reduce health care funding due to sequestration.

We also have our incredible Purple at Progressive night coming up on Sat. July 13th against Kansas City....  That is going to be a blast as well.  If you have never paraded the bases at the Prog - it's too much fun!  Going down the tunnel and seeing the ball field from a different perspective is very cool.

You know you want to join us - it's pretty easy to have a great summer night while supporting this very worthy cause - click here:  http://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/group_corp_start.htmI?l=EN&team=indians&owner=9750315&group=68918&err&event&customerID

So - although I don't blog nearly as much as I should - my commitment to keeping Ed's mission alive and moving forward is still part of my daily life.  I don't see that changing anytime soon!

Much Love to you all (if anyone is still even reading) ........  MK

The 11th Hour on AM 1420 The Answer: PurpleStride Cleveland: Fighting for funding for P...

The 11th Hour on AM 1420 The Answer: PurpleStride Cleveland: Fighting for funding for P...: Ken McManus, MaryeKaye Mackulin, and Jim McIntyre Ken McManus is a living miracle.  He is living with pancreatic cancer, almost four y...

Pancreatic Cancer: Purple Stride 2013 « CBS Cleveland

Check out our awesome Media Support for the Cleveland PurpleStride 2013 coming up June 1st down at Voinovich Park!

Q104's Katherine Boyd interviewed myself and our awesome Survivor, Jessica!

http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2013/05/10/pancreatic-cancer-purple-stride-2013/

And Leon Bibb interviewed the both of us for his Sunday morning Show, Kaleidoscope 

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/about_us/this-week-on-kaleidoscope---may-5-2013

Both were awesome opportunities to raise awareness in Cleveland and to let folks know we are out there every day batteling this disease! 

For Ed!  

COLT 2013 - A Big Success for the Cleveland Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Had the outstanding opportunity again in 2013 to attend "COLT" - Community Outreach Leadership Training for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  The Cleveland Leadership team learned some great new ways to improve our Affiliate - and we played as well.  Here is a great little video of our 3 packed days in Manhattan Beach!  Along with some of my personal photo's from the trip. 

http://animoto.com/play/WoApIz6vp9aK1ZKChfTRLw

The Post Newspaper Publishes Us Again - We Appreciate The Support

When the local news organizations step up and help us with our mission to raise awareness, and in turn, help us reach our fundraising goals.........  all we can really say is THANK YOU!

I will tell you - getting published never gets old........

http://www.thepostnewspapers.com/strongsville/opinion/article_6cece611-cc63-5abe-af07-54ff6b1debd0.html#user-comment-area

PLEASE JOIN US ON JUNE 1 TO FIGHT THIS MONSTER DISEASE....  I promise you will have fun....  And, I have not given up hope that Captain America will pop in and say Hi...  I mean - he will be in the CLE causing us all kinds of traffic headaches, it's the least he could do - no?!

Come on Summer.....