Moon Mother Spearheads Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Walk

When Heidi Fortwangler-Irr's husband Bob Fortwangler was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer a decade ago, her family struggled to find answers to the disease. 

The American Cancer Society lists it as the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the country. As many as 70 percent of patients with the illness die within one year of their diagnosis. 

After a brief battle, Bob succumbed to it in 2001. The father of two was 38 years old. 

"There weren't a lot of resources here in Pittsburgh," Fortwangler-Irr said. "There was so little information available at the time." 

In the years since her husband's death, Fortwrangler-Irr has worked to rally support for the illness in the Pittsburgh region. In 2004, she helped organize the region's first PurpleStride Pittsburgh, a family-oriented walk that raises awareness and money for Pancreatic cancer research. 

On Sunday, she and others impacted by the disease will gather in Allison Park's North Park. More than 1,200 have pre-registered for the event. 

The fundraiser has blossomed in the years since its launch. The inaugural PurpleStride Pittsburgh raised $7,900 in funding for Pancreatic cancer research. During this year's event, Fortwangler-Irr and other volunteers will likely bring in more than $100,000 in donations, she said. 

"When we first started maybe 200 or 300 people showed up," Fortwangler-Irr said. "Over the years it has just grown." 

Still, Fortwangler-Irr said, research for the disease is vastly underfunded. Less than 5 percent of the National Cancer Institute's annual research budget is dedicated to Pancreatic cancer, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. 

"It's frustrating," Fortwangler-Irr said. "Even though there is more money and more awareness, as soon as you hear someone is diagnosed with it you automatically go to sadness because the chances are still very slim that they will survive." 

Fortwangler-Irr, who eight years ago moved to Moon Township and has remarried, said PurpleStride gives her family a chance to reconnect and remember Bob: Her walking team dons red bandannas in honor of her late husband, who frequently wore them to work. 

As the event has grown, she said she's taken a step back in organizing the fundraiser. She now heads the event's children's tent, where kids can make crafts and play games during the fundraiser. 

"It's just a really nice family event," she said. "It's a short walk and it's a nice activity. And it makes you realize that there are other cancers out there that don't get as much attention." 

She said the event also gives her sons, both  students, a chance to celebrate their father's legacy. 

"I think since they were so little when he passed away it's a good way for them to remember him," she said. "It's good for them to see this dedication to the cause. We're still going to fight for other people to live. It's a good thing for them to learn." 

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PurpleStride Pittsburgh kicks off with pre-registration at 8 a.m., with opening ceremonies following at 9 a.m. Aug. 5. 

All events take place at Allison Park's North Park Swimming Pool lot. Visit the event's website for more information on attending.