Pierce Family Giving Page's Fundraising Page

November 2023-It's been 5.5 years since diagnosis and 3.5 years from my last dose of chemo.  I am unbelievably grateful for my team at Dana Farber and the success we saw from my treatment.  Sometimes I think about how I felt the day I entered Dana Farber for the first time.  Noone should experience the very first days after receiving a cancer diagnosis.  Since that time I have met so many wonderful doctors, nurses, radiologists, surgeons, schedulers and volunteers at the hospital.  My scans are now 6 months apart and we will do this for a period of time and the hope is one day that will stretch to once per year.  I am so thankful for my doctor Nadine McCleary.  She does not leave a stone unturned, while also comforting me when I worry about aches and pains. 

This year I have been so grateful to experience so many special events with my family.  After we celebrated Kevin's 50th and Christmas in Florida the boys finished up 6th and 8th grade.  My golf friends surprised me with a golf tournament in my honor on my birthday.  It was amazing.  We spent a lot of time on the baseball field this Summer and then vacationed as a family in Cooperstown.  We just made the trek to Lake Placid for Dylan's hockey team.  The Lake Placid trip was special to me since when we visited with Ryan I was going through chemo, and we were unsure what the next few months/years would bring.  Here we are almost to December of Ryan's freshman year and Dylan's 7th.  Crazy.

November 2022--I couldn't be more grateful for my team at Dana Farber.  It's been 4.5 years since I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and 2.5 years since my last dose of chemotherapy. I meet with my team there every four months after scans.  At my appointments we spend a lot of time talking about how great my response was to treatment and the progress that has been made in the meantime with other treatment options and side effect management.  We also spend a lot of time talking about how grateful I am to see so many milestones with the boys that I thought I would miss. 

Personally, this year has been special for me. I have been able to experience so many things I never thought I would be able to.  Both Kevin and I are turning the BIG 50 soon.  Dylan finally made it to middle school and Ryan started 8th grade at a new school.  We spend a lot of time in the car together driving to school, practices and games.  I am so proud of them and so happy to see them through this part of their lives.  

If you work for an organization that will match a donation please contact Elizabeth Elcock, Philanthropy Officer, Annual Giving, Dana Farber Cancer Institute

617-632-2339

November 2021---Well...I am 48.  It's been 3.5 years since my diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer and 1.5 years since my last chemo treatment.  I receive scans every 3-4 months at Dana Farber and seen by the team there more frequently.  Over the past few years I have spent time talking with friends and relatives and strangers about their diagnosis and hope to pass on my advice to be your own advocate and get second opinions on treatment and side effect management.

I celebrated my 48th birthday in June and I am watching Ryan turn 13 later this week and Dylan turn 11 in January.  This year we checked three vacation spots off the bucket list.  We visited Saratoga and then Cooperstown with Ryan's baseball team.  Kevin and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary in Nashville with Dylan's hockey team. lol.   Every minute I spend with Kevin, the kids and everyone else is a gift.   At each scan for the past 1.5 years I have received the best possible news.  I can not say I have stopped worrying about my health but staying in contact with other survivors has kept me inspired.  I try to only look forward. 

Love, Leanne, Kevin, Ryan and Dylan

November 2020---As I have reminded everyone in the past, November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.  It's been 2.5 years since my diagnosis.  Around Christmas time last year Kevin and I met with my oncologist at Dana Farber and she happily reported how well she and team thought my scans looked.  My pancreas looked clear and there were several spots on my liver that were extremely small.  A spot remained on my liver that was unchanged in size in the beginning.  The spot was stressful, as it appeared as if it was the only cancer not impacted by the chemo.  After doing much research, we requested that the spot be ablated and biopsied.  In late March, that occurred and we found out the spot was non cancerous.  This was the greatest news.  My oncologist wanted to see one additional scan in June.  On June 8th I received the 50th chemo treatment. On June 22nd we were informed I could begin a break.  With no active disease seen on scans, the care team at Dana Farber thought it was a safe time for a break, and the hope was the break would be for an extended amount of time.

2020 has been extremely challenging.  Some of the clinical trials due to the pandemic have been paused.  Some treatments continue to be researched and hopefully will someday benefit all cancer patients.  There still continues to be work done at Dana Farber regarding screening and research.  The chemo I received is a chemo that has become more commonly used in the last few years, and they are learning new ways for patients to help tolerate it.   

In the past year I have been able to celebrate my 47th birthday.  Kevin and I were able to celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary.  I am about to watch Ryan turn 12 and Dylan turn 10.  We started this year visiting Lake Placid for a hockey tournament, which was certainly a highlight.  We all know what happened in March.  It's been a rocky road, but looking on the bright side I was able to spend so much time with Kevin and the kids.  After losing our dog Cody and our 17 year old cat Little Guy in March, we welcomed a new member to the family, Poppy in May.   In June, I received the best news I could receive and continue on that break.  We were able to have a great vacation to Block Island and I was able to watch about 7 months of baseball.  I've made connections with other survivors which have helped me remain focused.  

Love, Leanne, Kevin, Ryan and Dylan

November 2019---November marks an important month for my family and many others.  November is pancreatic cancer awareness month.  It has been a year and a half since I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  I continue visiting Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston where I have received 36 chemotherapy treatments since June of 2018.  My cat scans have shown the chemotherapy continues to be effective in managing the cancer and I will continue with these treatments until an alternative is available.

We continue to see the great work that is happening at Dana Farber and in the treatment offerings for pancreatic cancer as well as all cancers.   As an example, the chemo I receive is a chemo that has become more commonly used in the last few years.  There are several treatments that are on the cusp of being tested that will hopefully someday benefit ALL pancreatic cancer patients.  I also can not go without mentioning the great treatment I receive from all doctors and nurses.

We continue to believe it is so important for us to live our lives.  In the past year I have watched Ryan turn 10 and now 11, and Dylan turn 8.  We enjoyed celebrating New Year's Eve in Epcot, and some quick trips to FLA with friends to avoid the Winter months.  I was able to see Dylan make his first Communion.  Our Summer was  packed with baseball, finally having enough courage to zipline, and an UNBELIEVABLE trip to Hawaii.  I celebrated my 46th birthday, with a few little league teams singing happy birthday to me.  And with the help of family and friends Kevin and I were able to get away for our 16th wedding anniversary.  Here we are back in the Fall and looking forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Dylan's final year as a Mite and a trip to Lake Placid with Ryan's Peewee team.

As always we want to thank our family and friends who have been so supportive.  Thanks to all who have continued to reach out with texts, calls, and cards.   Although, Kevin typically accompanies me for treatments thanks to those who have subbed in.  It is an extremely long day and I truly appreciate it.   Thanks to all who have helped with getting kids places when we needed and keeping the machine going here back at home. 

One of the most meaningful ways you can show your support is by helping us raise money that will be directed to research related to the detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer.  Last year we raised close to $9k and this year our goal is to double.  Pancreatic cancer is currently the 3rdleading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and projected to be the #2 cause by 2030, but yet is only #7 in research funding.  Other diseases such as Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer and AIDS have seen tremendous advances in survival rates and treatment options due to significant funding by non-profits and the government, something that has yet to happen with pancreatic cancer.   Join us in raising greater awareness this month and consider donating to our Dana Farber giving page, where all donations are tax deductible. 

Love, Leanne, Kevin, Ryan and Dylan

November 2018----November begins pancreatic cancer awareness month. Ourgoal is to join the broader fight against pancreatic cancer by giving to the JimmyFund/Dana Farber. All donations to this page will be used to fund research focused on the detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Kevin and my relationship with Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber dates back to 2003. Faced with many wedding planning decisions, we decided to make our first donation to the Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber in the name of our wedding guests in lieu of wedding favors. At the time we chose to donate to Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber as we were andstill are dedicated Boston Red Sox fans. Our relationship did not stop there, as we tried to continue our donations during the annual telethon in August, each baseballseason.

This year our relationship with Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber has become more personal. In early June, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I was giventhe diagnosis on June 15th and within 72 hours I was a patient at Dana Farber.Those first few weeks were an emotional and physical whirlwind with numerous appointments and meetings. By the following week we started a very aggressive We chemotherapy regimen. I can say at this point the treatment is thankfullyworking!!!

Kevin and I see on a regular basis the great work that is happening at DanaFarber. We also unfortunately see how many people are impacted by all cancers,not justpancreatic. The amount of people I encounter at the hospital amazes meeach time I visit.

Since the first day of treatment it'sbeen important to us to live OUR life andthat is exactly what we have done!!! We owe this to so many people.

We thank the doctors and many nurses that take really good care of me and Kevinevery other week in Boston and Milford. We are grateful to the staff that sitsbehind the scenes in research, nutrition, palliative care, social work,scheduling and development etc. They have all assisted us in so many ways andmost importantly by treating the cancer, allowing us to keep our faith and hopestrong.

Due tothe wonderful treatment there, I have experienced minimal to nosymptomsof cancer since the chemo started and side effects havebeen manageable. Wespent the Summer enjoying day trips (our favorite... Brownstone AdventurePark... I will zip line next year),our pool, golfing, baseball tournaments,watching and lighting off fireworks and a well-earned vacation to Block Island.Thankfully it was the Summer of Fortnite so it gave me some extra rest time. Wecommitted to our kids we would enjoy the summer of 2018, and we did just that.Now we focus on Fall and Winter (hockey andholiday gatherings).

Thank you to our family, friends and colleagues that have been so supportive toour family. So many of you have kept our motivation and the machine going withthoughts, prayers, meals, visits, calls, texts, cards, gifts, UNO games,helping kids to hockey, baseball, football and other places and dogsittingwhen we cannot.

Many of you have asked how to help andthe truth of the matter is cancer or nocancer, our life is crazy. In addition to our day jobs we are hockey parents,baseball parents and sometimes for the fun of it we like to double up oursports with lacrosse and football. The most meaningful way you canhelp issupporting our goal to raise money for pancreatic cancerresearch through theJimmy Fund/Dana Farber by the end of the year. Together we can make adifference in so many lives.

Love,
Leanne, Kevin, Ryan and Dylan