Streaming and Walking for Pancreatic Cancer PurpleStride Event

Thomas Donohue, along with his family and friends, has been participating in PanCAN PurpleStride since his father, John Donohue, passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2014. Their team, John’s Band, has raised over $93,000 to support patients and families affected by pancreatic cancer and fund research efforts. This year, Thomas took his fundraising efforts to new heights by live streaming for PanCAN, raising over $71,000 for PurpleStride 2026 in honor of his dad.

In a recent interview, Thomas shared that his father, John, was a multi-talented individual who loved music and entertaining others. To keep his dad’s legacy alive, Thomas and his family formed John’s Band, named after his dad’s passion for music. Thomas explained that he has been live streaming on platforms like Twitch and YouTube for the past five years, using his creative talents in video editing, graphic design, and music production to raise funds for PanCAN.

Thomas described his unique fundraising strategy, which involved hosting ten live streams where he did silly challenges and activities on camera, such as dressing as a wizard, playing old video games, and reading fan fiction. The response from viewers was overwhelming, with over 1500 people donating to support the cause. While the milestones set during the live streams led to some unconventional rewards like getting a tattoo and dyeing his hair purple, Thomas was grateful for the generosity of his viewers.

Encouraging others to join PurpleStride, Thomas emphasized that the event is not as somber as some may expect, but rather a fun and uplifting experience. He shared that his first PurpleStride was a positive and inspiring event, filled with camaraderie and support from fellow participants and survivors. Thomas assured potential participants that there is no harm in attending and urged them to join the event for a meaningful cause.

For those interested in participating in PanCAN PurpleStride, there is still time to register and join the virtual event on April 25. Whether you join an in-person event or participate in PurpleStride Your Way from anywhere, your support can make a difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer.