Meet The Teams
These stories were shared with us by the teams, with their permission. They are stories of families, hope, resilience, and healing. These real people inspire us and fuel our commitment to fighting pancreatic cancer every day.
Deb's Warriors
Our team, Deb’s Warriors, has been walking in Amy’s Walk for several years now. We walk in honor of my Mother, Deb Greenwood, who fought an incredibly brave 11-month battle against Pancreatic Cancer. She was diagnosed in October, 2015, and received her angel wings on September 2, 2016. She was involved in a clinical trial through Penn, where she had hopes for herself, as well as other patients fighting this terrible disease. Her sacrifice provided research and knowledge for other patients. My Mom was a devoted nurse who spent her life caring for others. Her compassion and love will be felt by her loved ones for decades to come. She spent countless hours volunteering for the American Cancer Society throughout the years spanning from the mid 90’s until the 2010’s. She was employed by Lehigh Valley Health Network and worked as the Patient Care Specialist in the ER at the Cedar Crest campus. She loved what she did. She got to witness her first grandchild (my son) be born, as well as watch her son (my brother) get married before leaving this Earth. She led a full life, loved immensely by others, and her absence is felt every single day. We miss her and love her until the end of time. Her wish was to some day hear that there would be a cure for this grim disease. I am hopeful for her 💜
– Kelly Waber
Team Diane
Team Diane formed years ago and participates in Amy’s Ride/Run/Walk in honor of pancreatic cancer survivor, Diane Landis. She was diagnosed in 2010 and underwent surgery soon after, on April 28th, at Jefferson Hospital. Her surgeon determined during surgery that her entire pancreas and spleen needed to be removed. She instantly became a diabetic (and has diligently maintained her health ever since!) Following the operation, she had chemotherapy at Lehigh Valley Hospital and after that radiation. This past April 28th, she celebrated being cancer free for 15 years and continues to enjoy a life filled with family, friends and faith. She is an inspiration to all of us. She has had a positive attitude through it all!
– Cheryl Yeakel and Becky Besch
SWAIN SPRINTERS
Swain Sprinters is a coed running group for 3rd to 8th graders at the Moravian Academy Swain Campus. Going into our 8th year, and our biggest yet, we have been able to raise over $11,000 for the cause.
Swain Sprinters isn’t just about running—it’s about building confidence, respect, and being a good teammate. At every practice, our runners grow not only in their physical ability but also in character, as they support each other and work toward a shared goal: participating in Amy’s Ride/Run/Walk 5k.
This year we are running in memory of Barabra Fairfield. Barb was the beloved daytime cleaning specialist at Swain for the past 25 years. She unfortunately lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on April 19, 2025 at the age of 76. She will be greatly missed by the whole Swain community.
– Coach Jeff Haviland
Ale Riders in the Sky
My team story is thus, the name comes from a line in a song I wrote as a nod to the Sundays spent at Babcia’s and the cheap beer the Uncles were drinking, all who are now passed. We honor cousin Amy Cygan. My team is through blood and marriage. I participate because I care deeply about my family and hope in my small way the money raised will help to fight this terrible disease.
Peace and Love
– Matthew Heller
Bob's Maniacs
My team (myself, 3 of my 4 children and my daughter’s boyfriend) are walking in memory of my brother in law Bob. He was diagnosed in May of 2021 and died July of 2021. He was only 51 years old. It still seems unreal we only had 12 short weeks with him once he was diagnosed. He left us far too soon but are comforted with so many great memories.
– Marmette Pellegrini
Deb's Warriors
Our team, Deb’s Warriors, walks in honor of my late Mother, Debra Greenwood. Our team consists of myself, my husband, my son and daughter, my Mom’s sister, and brother-in-law. My mom was a beloved nurse who devoted her life to helping others. She left an impact on every life she touched and was well-respected in the nursing community. She worked as the patient care coordinator at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest ED. My mom fought a brave 11-month battle with pancreatic cancer before gaining her Angel wings on September 2, 2016. Her untimely passing left an immense hole in our hearts. She was there for the highly anticipated birth of her first grandchild (my son) but did not get to meet her granddaughter. We strive to keep her legacy alive forever and to continue the fight against pancreatic cancer.
– Kelly Waber
Jodi's Butterflies
Our team Jodi’s Butterflies is walking in support of my wife Jodi Schmon who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December of 2021. She started chemotherapy first week of February 2022. She switched chemo drugs just last month after scans showed a little growth. This treatment has been tougher and she’s wiped out for days after. I am with her down at UPenn now and may not be back in time to get the shirts tonight so my sister may be getting them for me. I will be at the walk tomorrow and Jodi will make a decision in the morning if she can do it.
– Bob Schmon
Team Diane
Team Diane formed years ago and participates in Amy’s Ride/Run/Walk in honor of pancreatic cancer survivor, Diane Landis. She was diagnosed in 2010 and underwent surgery soon after, on April 28th, at Jefferson Hospital. Her surgeon determined during surgery that her entire pancreas and spleen needed to be removed. She instantly became a diabetic (and has diligently maintained her health ever since!) Following the operation, she had chemotherapy at Lehigh Valley Hospital and after that radiation. She has been cancer free for 14 years and continues to enjoy a life filled with family, friends and faith. She is an inspiration to all of us. She has had a positive attitude through it all!
– Becky (Eichlin) Besch
Team Hammerbird
Our team name is a portmanteau combining the names of two backyard bars built by two friends here in Quakertown; The Hammerhead and the FreeBird. We are a lively group of locals who like to contribute to our community, have fun, and help raise money for a good cause. We are running and walking in remembrance of Patrick Swayze, a silver screen legend we all lost too soon. Team HammerBird is excited to participate, and we invite everyone over for a beer after the finish line! “Pain Don’t Hurt”.
– Mark Freed and Joel Franjul
Barbara's Buddies
I created the team Barbara’s Buddies, in memory of my friends Mom, Barbara Bickel who passed October 30, 2020. I met her daughter Lisa in October 1998 through our church when I made a meal for her as she was recovering from a car accident and had 2 small kids. Her Mom moved in with her to help care for the kids and her. We had kids that were very close in age and found many things in common and ended up becoming friends! I met her brother Joe and sister Maryann over the next year also. Barbara treated my kids just like her grandchildren and they called her Grammy Barbara. She made holidays fun, especially Halloween! She had the biggest heart and best smile! Her love for animals was also very strong! Her light on Earth is missed tremendously, but her mark in this world with her kindness and generosity will never be forgotten as it lives on with her wonderful family!
– Sharon DiPaolantonio
SWAIN SPRINTERS
Swain Sprinters is a boys running group for 3rd to 5th graders from Moravian Academy- Swain Campus that incorporates lessons on building confidence, respect, and being a good teammate. The boys also strengthen their running ability each practice, working toward participating in Amy’s Ride Run Walk 5K.
– Coach Jeff Haviland
WILL RUN 4 JACKIE
Our team “Will Run 4 Jackie” is in honor of Jackie Hunsworth, my 76 yr old mother. Early last year she experienced some issues with a blocked bile duct, during the procedure to place a stent to open the duct the doctor noticed a spot on her pancreas. So while he was in there he took a biopsy to be sent for testing. It came back malignant, within days my mom was set up with consultations with a surgeon and oncologist. It all moved very quickly to get her going on chemotherapy. Over the next months there were rounds of chemotherapy, a surgery to remove a portion of the pancreas, and more chemotherapy.
It was hard for us to watch her deteriorate and struggle with day to day tasks on some days. But through it all she kept the most positive attitude and took everything with grace and positivity always moving forward. And by the end of the year just before Christmas she got the fantastic news that everything was successful and the cancer was gone! There have been a few ups and downs the first few months of this year for her regaining her strength and getting back to “normal”. But just last week she was back to weed wacking and mowing the lawn! Making the rest of us look lazy as usual. We were lucky, had she not had the blocked bile duct we may still not know about that tiny spot.
My cousin suggested putting the team together this year to honor her strength and show our love for her.
– Karen Keller
