Attorney Spotlight: Wade E. Warntjes

For those of you that aren’t familiar with my story, I am the Advocacy Chair for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in South Dakota. This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart as my wife’s sister died of pancreatic cancer about 2 ½ years ago at the age of 40. She was a single mom with 2 adult children and a 9 year old little girl at the time. My wife and I are now permanent legal guardians of Kiana and are blessed with the opportunity to watch her grow up every single day.

Pancreatic cancer is the 3rd leading cancer killer in the US and will be 2nd by 2020, yet receives very little funding on the national level. The 5 year survival rate is only 9%, and over 70% of those diagnosed die in the first year. However, we are making strides through scientific research, patient services, government advocacy, and community engagement. PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer, is one of the largest sources of funding for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Our 3rd annual PurpleStride Sioux Falls is scheduled for June 1, 2019 at Cherry Rock Park. There are several ways you can help. If you want to participate in the walk or the untimed run, or want to volunteer on the day of the event, you can join our team, Ranae’s Purple Ribbon Runners by following this link, https://support.pancan.org/site/TR/PurpleStride/PurpleStride?pg=entry&fr_id=1701, clicking on register, join or bring back a team, search for Ranae’s Purple Ribbon Runners, and selecting whether you want to participate or volunteer. If you choose to volunteer I would ask you also register on this link, https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a054aacaf23abf49-purplestride, so we at the local level know how many volunteers we have and what you would like to do. If you cannot join us the day of the event, I encourage you to make a donation to my personal page using the following link, https://support.pancan.org/site/TR/PurpleStride/PurpleStride?team_id=17823&pg=team&fr_id=1701. Please find it in your hearts to help us wage hope against this terrible disease.