Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research
SEPTEMBER 6 2024
EVENING OF HOPE
JOIN US FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT TO BENEFIT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO CANCER CENTER’S PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH
For Tickets & Sponsorships please click here.
April 2024
REMEMBERING JAMES C. O’RIORDAN
James Cornelius O’Riordan, 60, loving husband and devoted father of two, passed away peacefully at home in Calais, Vermont, on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, surrounded by the love of his family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born May 7, 1963, in Oakland, California, he was the son of John and Kathleen Reardon. James (Jim or Seamus) grew up in Lafayette, CA, and attended St. Perpetua School in Lafayette, CA, De La Salle High School in Concord, CA, Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Geography from San Francisco State University. While growing up in CA, Jim spent many summers with his family in the Sierra Nevada mountains at their cabin at Pinecrest Lake, where his love for the outdoors became cemented in his being.
To read full obituary and/or make a donation in memory of James O’Riordan, go to In Memoriam page.
December 2023
REMEMBERING CATHY NOON
Cathy Noon, beloved civic leader who served as mayor of the City of Centennial for 8 years, passed away December 11 after courageously facing pancreatic cancer for five and a half years. Cathy’s legacy as an influential leader throughout the Denver metro area and the impact she had on programs, initiatives, and regional improvements will continue to enrich and benefit the lives of Centennial citizens for many years to come.
Cathy also leaves an indelible legacy in the tenacious and brave effort she displayed in not only fighting her own pancreatic cancer, but in raising awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. As a WINGS OF HOPE board member, Cathy spoke passionately at every fundraising event, participated in year round events, and was a driving force in the WINGS OF HOPE annual research grant presentations and awards. Cathy was a tireless and positive force in everything she did and will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by many.
Two days after Cathy’s passing the WING OF HOPE board met for their annual research grant award presentations, which she had planned to attend. Cathy’s husband Jim, also a board member, attended because he knew how important this was to her. WINGS OF HOPE awarded $175,000.00 to several research projects that showed promising potential in diagnosing and treating this disease earlier and more effectively, which Cathy was always fighting for.
That meeting and those grant awards were dedicated and made in Cathy’s memory.
To make a donation in memory of Cathy Noon please go to the In Memoriam page.
NOVEMBER 2023
‘LIGHT UP HOPE’ at DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS A SOLD-OUT SUCCESS
Dr. Richard Schulick, Dr. Wells Messersmith, Dr. Marco Del Chiaro, Maureen Shul, Dr. Sana Karam
For more on ‘Light Up Hope’ 2023 go to events
NOVEMBER 2023
In Memory of BRIAN SHUL
To make a donation in Brian Shul’s memory, please go to Brian's page.
NOVEMBER 2023
COLORADO GOVERNOR JARED POLIS ISSUES PROCLAMATION ON NOVEMBER BEING PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Go to NEWS to read full Proclamation.
OCTOBER 2023
EXCLUSIVE DAVID YURMAN EVENT BENEFITS WINGS OF HOPE
Thanks to our friends at DAVID YURMAN who hosted an exclusive reception with percentage of all sales donated to WINGS OF HOPE. To read more go to Events
2023 EVENING OF HOPE
Under perfect skies and with the hangar doors wide open, WINGS OF HOPE held their 11th Annual ‘Evening of Hope,’ all to raise awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. To read more go to Events.
KINGSBURY OPEN 2023
Another successful tournament in raising funding for pancreatic cancer research!
Thank you to everyone who participated, sponsored, and generously supported this year’s Kingsbury Open. For more on the tournament go to EVENTS.
2023 UPCOMING EVENTS
November 4, 2023
JOIN US FOR THE ANNUAL CITY PARK RUN/WALK FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH
With thanks to their philanthropic support of this event:
Proceeds from this event help support the CU Division of Surgical Oncology in their commitment to provide cutting-edge surgical care for pancreatic cancer patients. Their research and discovery include intrepid treatment algorithms, novel diagnostic techniques, and vital surveillance plans. This event seeks to directly fund supplies, data, analytics, and publication of this research as well as raise awareness and bring hope. Sign up to participate through the QR code above, or click here to make a donation in support of the CU Division of Surgical Oncology.
2023 UPCOMING EVENTS
September 8, 2023
11th Annual Evening of Hope
Blue Sky Hangar, Centennial Airport, Colorado
July 2023
WINGS OF HOPE 2023 IMPACT STATEMENT
Read the tremendous strides being made in pancreatic cancer at the University of Colorado Cancer Center as a result of WINGS OF HOPE. To date WINGS OF HOPE has raised more than $1.6 million, all going directly toward raising awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research. None of this would be possible without the tremendous and generous support of so many, for whom we are grateful and thank wholeheartedly. To read go to NEWS.
BRIAN SHUL
May 2023
Since the devastating news of his passing, many of you have asked where donations may be made in Brian’s memory, for which I deeply thank you.
Brian’s last speech was given at the Nevada Military Support Alliance’s 20th Anniversary Gala Benefit in Reno, Nevada. Founded in 2003, the NMSA to date has provided over $11 million in assistance to veterans and their families. The organization is committed to honoring the fallen, empowering the wounded, and creating a brighter future for the men and women who have served.
My brother never hesitated in supporting veterans and their families, especially those so personally impacted in combat, and would be in full agreement in supporting this exemplary nonprofit organization.
On a personal note, the profound and loving assistance and guidance they gave to me from the minute I landed in Reno was a Godsend, for which I will be forever grateful. And to the member first responders, physicians, and others who were in attendance that evening and rushed to Brian’s side, my indebtedness and gratitude are eternal.
Maureen Shul
To Donate in Memory of Brian Shul click here.
MAY 2023
BRIAN SHUL
SR-71 Pilot
For those of you who heard my brother Brian speak at WINGS OF HOPE benefits, you know how deep and real his passion for life was. No moment was to be wasted, no day was to be taken for granted. Brian would give many speeches to many groups around the world, but he never felt the warmth and support like he did from all of you at those ‘Evening of Hope’ events.
Last evening Brian spoke to a large military group in Reno, Nevada. People there who had heard him speak before said they never heard him speak this passionate about life, his life, and his gratitude for it all. After his speech and after his book signing Brian suffered a heart attack and collapsed. He was administered CPR and rushed to the hospital, where he passed away.
Many days and weeks and months from now I will come to grips with what I am writing here. But for now, thank you for all the love and affection you gave him. It meant the world.
Maureen Shul
MAY 2023
WINGS OF HOPE HELPS FUND NEW TREATMENT THAT CAN ERADICATE PANCREATIC CANCER TUMORS WHILE STOPPING CANCER PROGRESSION
To read more about this exciting news, please click here.
WINGS OF HOPE founder Maureen Shul and Sana Karam, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Translational Research, Radiation Oncology Specialist, University of Colorado Cancer Center Anschutz Medical Campus
HIGHLIGHTS FROM ‘EVENING OF HOPE’ BENEFIT
September 23, 2022
HIGHLIGHTS FROM ‘EVENING OF HOPE’ BENEFIT
September 23, 2022
NOVEMBER 5, 2022
CITY PARK 5K RUN/WALK for PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH
To read more on the run/walk for pancreatic cancer research, go to EVENTS
OCTOBER 2022
WINGS OF HOPE LANDS IN BOSTON
Featured speaker SR-71 Pilot Brian Shul, WINGS OF HOPE founder Maureen Shul, and event auctioneer Gary Corbett
AN EVENING OF HOPE
On October 22, 2022 WINGS OF HOPE FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH presented an ‘Evening of Hope’ in Boston to benefit the pancreatic cancer research program at Massachusetts General Hospital. Read full story at EVENTS.
SEPTEMBER 2022
EVENING OF HOPE A SOLD OUT SUCCESS
For more on the ‘Evening of Hope’ that took place at Exploration of Flight, Centennial Airport, featuring SR-71 Pilot Brian Shul, go to EVENTS
September 2022
KINGSBURY OPEN
ANOTHER SELL OUT SUCCESS FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH
RAISES $35k for PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH
Go to events to read more on the 2022 Kingsbury Open.
Tommy Goodman, Kingsbury Open founder Lisa Kingsbury Goodman, WINGS OF HOPE founder Maureen Shul
July 30, 2022
SHANE LEE MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES $40k FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH
For more information on the wildly successful sold out event go to EVENTS
EVENING OF HOPE
with HAZEL MILLER and The Collective
September 18, 2021
GO TO EVENTS TO READ AND SEE PICTURES OF THIS SOLD OUT EVENT.
WINGS OF HOPE "HOPE" NECKLACES NOW AVAILABLE
Go to GIFTS page to purchase
SOLD OUT
Thank you for your support!
WINGS OF HOPE for PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH was formed in February 2012 by Maureen A. Shul after losing her mother and brother within months of one another to pancreatic cancer. The non-profit foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding for the ongoing research, clinical trials and treatment of pancreatic cancer patients at the Pancreatic Cancer Research Program at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
The Shul Family
Pancreatic cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, the survival rate for pancreatic cancer - the percentage of patients who are living five years after diagnosis - is just 10 percent. This is because far more people are diagnosed at stage IV when the disease has metastasized. This survival rate has changed little in the last 40 years.
With no early detection tools, effective treatments or adequate funding for research, the rapidly rising threat of pancreatic cancer urgently demands an increase in awareness and research funding.
Founded out of grief, driven by purpose and in pursuit of making a difference, WINGS OF HOPE for PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH is dedicated to
- Accelerating the research
- Providing the most advanced treatments
- Finding the cure
Thomas Purcell, MD, MBA, University of Colorado Cancer Center
JOIN THE EFFORT…BE A PART OF THE POSSIBLE, BE THE HOPE.
