Project Purple Podcast

In this very special episode, a wide range of guests share their favorite Project Purple memories and reflect on 10 years of fighting for a world without pancreatic cancer. The episode concludes with a powerful reflection and heartfelt message from CEO & Founder/ Podcast Host Dino Verrelli. Special Guests: Blake Lively (a.k.a "Cous") - Board President Mary Kostolansky - Advisory Board Member Vin K...

Sarah Grooms has experienced success as dancer with the rockettes, a fitness teacher with obé, and a podcaster with her show, Sarah Jo On The Go. But most importantly, she identifies herself as an optimist. Sarah joined this week's episode to share her unique mindset and how running and fitness have impacted her.

Survivor Darlene Plavchak shares the story of her battle with pancreatic cancer. Darlene has kept a positive mindset despite all of the hurdles and obstacles that have come her way.

Deloris Saams-Hoy joins the podcast all the way from San Jose, CA. She shares the story of her unique battle with pancreatic cancer as she continues to battle this disease. As a listener and fan of the show, Deloris gathered some hope from the Project Purple Podcast herself. She hopes to provide that hope for others in this episode. We believe the story of how Deloris went from a "Why me?" mindset...

Dr. James Farrell is the Director of the Yale Center for Pancreatic Diseases. With a gastroenterology background, Dr. Farrell researches a wide variety of pancreatic illnesses including pancreatic cancer. In this week's episode, Farell shares his background and discusses the incredible work going on at Smillow Cancer Hospital.

John Graff Ph. D., M.S. is the Scientific and Data Coordinating Centers Program Director at Arbor Research. In his position, he is on the frontlines at the fight for early detection of pancreatic cancer as a leader of the data coordinating center for the Precede Consortium. He has a fascinating role in this potentially world-changing study.

David Kelly shares the story of his continued battle having undergone his 30th round of chemo shortly after this episode was recorded. An long-time friend of Dino's and local to the Naugatuck valley, Kelly brings a unique drive and mindset to the show.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Glenn Gaither calls in from Seaside, Oregon to share the story of his battle with pancreatic cancer. He brings with him a unique mindset and approach to battling the disease. Glenn is a runner himself and received patient aid from project purple during his battle.

In a time where running is booming in popularity without major in-person races, we brought Dr. John Brummer, DPM back for another informative episode. As a practicing podiatrist and podiatric surgeon, Dr. Brummer has great advice for new runners and veterans of the sport. Find out how to warm-up avoid common injuries, how to break in running shoes, what makes orthotics so important, and much more...

Dino and Vin discuss how the Push/Pull for Pancreatic Cancer program has managed to make the best out of the COVID-19 crisis, raising even more funds than last year through a mix of in-person and virtual fundraisers. They also discuss recent ProjectPurple news and events.

Project Purple Ambassador Keelin Hodgkins DiMario and Crossfit Program Director Vin Kampf join Dino to share their tips, tricks, and guidance for virtual fundraising.

As a 13 year survivor, Marcia Rodriguez joined the podcast to share the story of her battle with pancreatic cancer.

You may recognize Robert Gantt from a photo that went viral within the Project Purple community where he is standing at the window of his cancer treatment center with a mask, holding lab results up for his wife Laura who could not join him because of COVID-19 safety precautions. On this week's episode, Robert and Laura join Dino to talk about the photo and how they've battled pancreatic cancer as...

Survivor Shaun Walsh calls in from Liverpool to share his unique story of his battle with pancreatic cancer.

On this week's episode, Dino is joined by Bryson Katona, MD, PHD from Penn Medicine and the Precede Consortium for early detection. Not only is Dr. Katona working hard to save lives through his work, he also made an impact as a member of Project Purple's 2020 NYC Half Marathon team.

As a breast cancer survivor with a family history of cancer, Sandy Robis knew that being her own biggest advocate would be critical in her pancreatic cancer fight. The Burlington, Ontario native shared this advice and told her story on this week's episode of the Project Purple Podcast.

Jules Jefferis called in all the way from Brisbane, Australia to share his story about battling pancreatic cancer. Ever since he was diagnosed at 31, he's kept a positive attitude. While battling pancreatic cancer is no walk in the park, Jules believes "You've got to have a crack at it."

Survivor Kim Manuppelli shares the story of her fight and unique approach to battling pancreatic cancer. After being told she exhibits "No evidence of disease" in January 2020, Kim encourages others battling any cancer to reach out to her if they need someone to talk to. "Nothing's to say that I'm done," Kim says. "But while I'm here, I am going to fight and help everybody that I possibly can."

Nicole Carey tells the story of her battle with pancreatic cancer as she continues her fight. She also shares her unique mindset and attitude. "There are certain choices we can make. The choice that I can make is how I'm living with it," Carey said. "And I'm making that choice to smile and be happy and enjoy what I can. "

John Brummer, DPM is a podiatrist that sub-specializes in foot and ankle surgery & sports and dance medicine. He joins this episode to discuss feet, sneakers, and running with Dino. As a member of the Project Purple community, Dr. Brummer ran the 2019 New York City Marathon with Project Purple.

Zo Marchmant calls in from the U.K. to share her survival story and her approach to fighting cancer. Find out why, in this this 28 year-old's eyes, pancreatic cancer is "not forever."

Dino and Mary Arnold, founder of Active Brand Consulting, discuss the business side of running and the fun side as well. Arnold is an over 14-year veteran of the running industry and an ultra marathoner herself.

Frank Roche, better known as the "Pancan Man" from pancanman.com, shares his story of survival on this week's episode.

On this week's episode, Dino is joined by running coach John Honerkamp as the two discuss the state of running and share advice on staying active despite the COVID-19 outbreak.

Coverage of COVID-19 and how it affects the pancreatic cancer community continues with a conversation with Dr. Mark A. Lewis, MD, Director of GI cancer at Intemrountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, Utah.