Carrying Forward a Legacy of Service, Hope and Research

When Jane Talbot talks about pancreatic cancer, she doesn't just speak as a volunteer or advocate. She speaks as a wife, a mother, a grandmother and someone who will do anything to end this disease.

Her husband, Frank, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008. Like so many families, they knew very little about the disease before his diagnosis. What they did know was that they would do everything possible to give him more time.

That search led Frank to a clinical trial.

"He wasn't a candidate for the Whipple procedure when he was first diagnosed," Jane said. "But the clinical trial shrank his tumor by about 40%, and he was eventually able to have surgery."

Although the cancer later spread, the trial gave Frank two more years with his family - precious time they will always treasure.

Shortly before he passed, Frank left his family with one final request.

"He told us, 'You've got to do something about research.'"

Those words became a family mission.

Finding PanCAN

For years, Jane honored Frank's legacy by supporting pancreatic cancer research locally, helping establish an endowment for young researchers and organizing educational events in South Carolina.

Then, in 2019, someone from PanCAN attended one of the events.

Through that connection, Jane discovered an organization whose commitment to patients and families immediately resonated with her.

Soon thereafter, Jane reached out to PanCAN Patient Services to ask about grief support resources.

"What impressed me most was that I talked to a real person," Jane said. "When I called back, I never had to tell my sad story all over again. That experience made me realize my heart is with PanCAN because they truly care about patients and caregivers."

When PanCAN invited Jane and her family to help establish an affiliate in South Carolina, they didn't hesitate.

An in-person awareness event planned for spring 2020 was canceled because of the pandemic, but the volunteers refused to let that stop them. They gathered virtually instead, building relationships over Zoom before officially launching the South Carolina Affiliate in September 2021.

Since then, they've continued to grow their impact through PanCAN PurpleStride, awareness events, education and advocacy.

"What keeps us going?" Jane said. "Frank would want it."

Today, pancreatic cancer advocacy has become a family tradition. Jane's daughters have served in volunteer leadership roles, her son has led advocacy efforts, and her oldest grandson, AJ, stepped into the role of PurpleStride team co-captain beginning in 2025.

A Life Built on Service

Long before pancreatic cancer entered her life, service was already at the center of who Jane was.

Inspired by her parents, grounded in her Catholic faith and motivated by a belief that blessings come with responsibility, she spent decades serving others as a teacher, volunteer and leader in her community and her church.

"I believe when much is given, much is expected," Jane said. "Service is how I lead my life."

She also co-founded a grief support ministry that helps individuals navigate the loss of a loved one.

For Jane, volunteering has never been about recognition. It's simply how she believes people should care for one another.

"I've always been happiest when I'm serving."

Passing the Mission to the Next Generation

Sharing PurpleStride with her grandson AJ added another meaningful chapter to Frank's legacy.

"He has a heart for service," Jane said. "He loved his grandfather, and he loves helping."

From managing technology to supporting fundraising efforts, AJ brought new energy and skills to the team while honoring the grandfather whose life continues to inspire their family.

Having all her grandchildren walk or volunteer at PurpleStride with her, attend events, and learn about this disease and the ongoing research helps Jane keep Frank's spirit alive.

"I think children learn from the role models in their lives," she said. "When I look at my own children and the work they do, it brings me so much joy."

Hope for the Future

Even after everything her family has experienced, Jane remains remarkably hopeful.

She believes awareness, research and early detection will continue changing the story of pancreatic cancer.

"I really think we're going to have an early detection method," she said. "Every time I spend time with researchers, I leave feeling hopeful."

That hope feels especially personal.

Frank's clinical trial not only gave him more time - it helped advance treatments that would go on to influence the standard of care for future patients.

"I know he'd be so proud that everything he went through made such a difference."

Still, Jane knows that progress depends on continued investment in research and advocacy.

"My biggest concern is making sure the funding is there," she said. "Research doesn't move forward without it."

That's why she believes awareness alone isn't enough.

"We all have to advocate (for increased federal research funding)," she said. "Every volunteer can help make sure research continues and families have hope."

For Jane, every PurpleStride, every community event, every conversation and every phone call to lawmakers is another way to honor Frank's final wish.

He said, "Where there's research, there's hope."

And thanks to volunteers like Jane, countless families facing pancreatic cancer today - and those who will face it tomorrow - have more hope than ever before.