Don’s Pancreatic Cancer Fight

03/23/2023

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak with a few of our elected officials in Jeff City at our Capital for 2023 ACS CAN Missouri Cancer Action Day. I shared my story on how cancer has hit our family and also the importance of Expanding the funding for the MO Healthnet Prigram, maintain funding for Show-Me Healthy Woman Program and support funding for To***co Prevention and Cessation Programs.

I so appreciate Sen. Mike Cierpiot taking time from his busy schedule to speak with me and listen to issues many Missourians are facing each and every day!

02/22/2023

Today was the first time I was able to bring myself to watch the celebration of life we had for Don. So much I don’t remember from that day. It was nothing but God that allowed me to be able to speak in front everyone knowing I couldn’t even feel my feet underneath me.

💜❤️

Join us on Friday, April 29th at 6:30 pm to celebrate the life of Don Hanson.

02/10/2023

It’s been awhile since I’ve made a post on here, so I wanted update everyone. Life has definitely been a journey of a lot self reflection, realizing my strength in the unimaginable, and being able to show myself grace and unconditional love when my thoughts take me to a dark place of relentless grief. We are closing in on the 1 year and there are days that still feel like I’m in a nightmare I’ll never wake up from, but I also have been intentional with finding joy in each day. I chose to live and not to just exist and that took time to realize I deserved more than what my PTSD made me feel in the moment.

I also want those who contributed to the GoFundme to know, the situation is in the process of being rectified. I will fight until my last breath to ensure my husbands wishes are carried out.

Thank you for all the love, support, and grace each of you have shown me and my family. We are forever grateful. 💜

09/05/2022

This bag will be traveling to Washington DC this week to be lit to be a part of the “Lights of Hope’.

I love you Don ♾❤️💜

08/03/2022

No matter your political views or which party you associate with, today was a GREAT day for Missouri! Funding went from only $50,000 to $250 Million to fund to***co prevention and cessation! I was so happy Quette was able to join me to hear speakers and observe the bill being signed by Governor Parson. 💜

08/02/2022

I’m excited to be invited to an event with Gov. Parson to celebrate the $2.5 million increase in to***co prevention and cessation funding that he proposed in this year’s state budget. The event will take place tomorrow , Aug. 3 in Columbia on the Univ. of Missouri Campus. Gov. Parson will be a scheduled speaker then will hold a ceremonial bill signing. I’m excited to be a part of this event representing the American Cancer Society, CAN and my husband!💜

07/22/2022

First solo road trip without Don has been so bittersweet and emotional. Meeting Don’s High School basketball coach and his wife was such an honor. Hearing stories of a part of my husbands life before me, brought a smile to my face. I’m so incredibly grateful for Coach Fraley, Janice, and Pulaski County High School for helping and supporting me to create a Scholarship in my husbands name so another student athlete has the opportunity to pursue their dream of attending college. ❤️💜

07/18/2022

I belong to a support group for women who have lost their husbands to pancreatic cancer. I knew I wasn’t the only woman grieving the loss from the relentless disease, but hearing other stories on how this cancer has rocked and wrecked peoples lives in an instant has been beyond heartbreaking.

This disease is nearly silent until it’s too late. Our lives as we knew it have been stolen from us and to say it’s unfair is an understatement!

I have become an official American Cancer Society -CAN Volunteer Ambassador. I will have the opportunity to share our story with Congress in hopes to bring more awareness and hopefully advocate for more funding for reasesrch and early detection.

Please don’t ever second guess your health! If it’s not normal for you then insist testing and always have your voice heard!