For all our married life, Jay has worn a uniform to work. For years it was scrubs and for the passed 21 years, a uniform for the fire department. I’ve told him countless times that I wish I could wear a uniform to work. Wearing a uniform would make morning decisions SO much easier.

Tomorrow is World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day and the ribbon/color which represents Pancreatic Cancer is purple. Why purple? Pancreatic cancer uses a purple ribbon as a tribute to one woman’s love for her mother. A woman named Rose Schneider, whose favorite color was purple, died in 1996 after battling pancreatic cancer for six months. That’s how purple became the color for pancreatic cancer.

Think about Valentine’s Day. What color do you associate with that day? Why RED, of course! It’s a day of love. Thursday, November 16 is no different. By wearing purple, you are acknowledging the love and compassion you have for those who have suffered, succumbed, and are still battling pancreatic cancer. You are saying – I See You!

I see you as you walk through the door for another treatment.

I see you smiling when I know you’re in so much pain that you can’t stand.

I see you when you wish you could eat what everyone is enjoying but you’re afraid to put a bite in your mouth for fear it will go right through you.

I see you as you sit next to the bed of your mother as pancreatic cancer slowly takes her and she can’t respond.

I see you when you cry with your grandfather knowing he only has a few days, but he’s at peace and you’re not.

I watch you maneuver through life without a smile because pancreatic cancer took your best friend, father, son.

I listened as you tried to rationalize the reason God took my baby. I’ve listened countless times. Even knowing God had a purpose for Trey’s cancer, a mother’s broken heart never heals.

I see you. You matter. You are relevant. Your suffering is not in vain. You are loved and we wear purple for all of you; my family, for Trey, for Martha Carol, for Stephanie, for Melanie Busch, for Ruth Ranks and her girls Kelly Ranks Roy and Tracy Ranks Grimmer, for Steve Gilmore and his dad, and for so many of the known and unknown.

My sister, Donna, and I often say, those that scream the loudest get heard. I can tell you that funding for research for pancreatic cancer is not a priority to most. Grants are not available to assist adults with cancer because of government funding. I have thought – I sure wish there was a St. Jude for adults.

Again, November 16, we wear purple for you.  Stand up against cancer – pancreatic cancer. Tell their story. Tell YOUR story-why you wear purple. I’m begging for your support. Remember, those that scream the loudest, get heard!

I challenge you to download or copy this sign for tomorrow. Tag me (or #treyerwin13) and let’s make a difference!