In Conversation: Sarah Mattern, Event Experience Chair, Philadelphia Affiliate

Editor's note: Event Experience Chair Sarah Mattern spoke with PanCAN's Paula Mukherjee about running the Philadelphia Half Marathon for Team PanCAN and her commitment to PanCAN's mission.

Curious about volunteering? On Thurs., Dec. 3 at 4:30 p.m. PT | 7:30 p.m. ET, PanCAN is hosting Hope Into Action: All About Becoming a PanCAN Volunteer. Join us at this exciting virtual information session to learn how our tight-knit volunteer family brings hope and inspiration to everyone affected by pancreatic cancer.

Paula: What initially brought you to PanCAN?

Sarah: My dad, Ron, was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer during my junior year of high school, in March 2016. He fought for 15 months. He passed away just a few days before my high school graduation, at age 56.

My family and I wanted to do a walk to honor him. We searched online and came across PanCAN PurpleStride. PurpleStride Philadelphia that year was held on my birthday. It felt like a sign, so we had to sign up.

We have participated in PurpleStride every year since. PurpleStride 2027 will be our 10th event!

Paula: How would you describe your dad to people who didn't get a chance to meet him?

Sarah: He was just incredible. He was hilarious, kind and intelligent. He was the best supporter and the most dedicated dad.

He would walk into a room and light it up in a second. He was the life of the party.

I have two older brothers and my dad coached teams for all of us. I have vivid memories of us singing together before games to songs by his favorite band, Journey.

Paula: What inspired you to get involved as a PanCAN volunteer?

Sarah: I love PurpleStride and the feeling I get when I'm around other people who understand what I have been through. Before I found PanCAN, my family hadn't met anyone who had experienced what we experienced.

After I graduated from college in 2021, I moved back to Philadelphia, and I wanted to get more involved with the organization. I reached out to Bruce, the Affiliate Chair, and he told me the role of Event Experience Chair was open. That's exactly what I wanted to do - it was perfect.

Paula: How has the experience of working with other volunteers in your affiliate been?

Sarah: It's been very uplifting. The word that comes to mind is community. I found a community.

We have shared experiences. I have people I can lean on who understand what a pancreatic cancer diagnosis means.

We've been able to turn our grief into something that's even more powerful: strength. We find strengths in each other and make an impact together.

Paula: What is your favorite memory from PurpleStride?

Sarah: Writing my dad's name on the "Why I Stride" poster. I do it every year, and it's a highlight for me.

Another favorite memory is connecting with survivors and hearing their stories. I also really enjoy getting up on stage with other volunteers to talk about our affiliate and opportunities to fundraise and volunteer with PanCAN.

I also love just walking around and connecting with everyone in our community.

Paula: You are running a half marathon for Team PanCAN as part of the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend (Nov. 20 - 22)! How did you get involved?

Sarah: I've started to get into running in the past few years and I wanted to do a race to honor my dad.

I reached out to my staff partner, Kris, to let her know it would be a great opportunity for PanCAN to be a charity partner for this race weekend. We made it happen!

This will be my first half marathon. My dad's favorite number was 13, so I'm running 13.1 miles and my individual fundraising goal is $13,000.

I have recruited 14 other runners: five for the 8K, four others for the half-marathon, and five for the marathon. It's been awesome. We've raised over $26,000 as a team so far!

Paula: How did you recruit the other runners?

Sarah: Two of the other runners are in the Philadelphia Affiliate. To recruit the rest, we posted an application form on social media and the marathon website.

The team members are from all over the country. For some, this weekend will be their first time in Philadelphia.

Paula: What will you and your teammates wear during the races?

Sarah: We have purple racing singlets. I've also designed long-sleeved T-shirts for us to wear throughout our training and during warmups.

The front says "Team PanCAN - Philadelphia Marathon Weekend" and the back has our website and the message "Nobody fights alone." I sold these as a fundraiser for our team.

Paula: November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. What does your affiliate have planned?

Sarah: Since the race is in November, I want marathon weekend to become a pancreatic cancer awareness weekend!

The Thursday before the race weekend is World Pancreatic Cancer Day and PurpleLight Philadelphia. I'm inviting the out-of-town runners to join us.

I'll be at the marathon all weekend and my plan is to make purple signs, hand out fliers for PurpleStride and turn the marathon purple.

Paula: What message would you like to share with other people who have been impacted by pancreatic cancer?

Sarah: Volunteering with PanCAN has given me an outlet to turn my grief into action.

There's nothing I can do to bring my dad back, but I can take actions in his memory. I can connect with others who have lost loved ones or help survivors navigate this disease.

So much about my experience with pancreatic cancer has been out of my control, but the choice to help other people is within my control.

Paula: Thank you for everything you do, Sarah. Good luck to Team PanCAN!