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Days of our Lives Stars Team Up For The Ultimate Walk to End Pancreatic Cancer

Some of your faves from DOOL are uniting in April for an important cause.

Days of our Lives Eric Martsolf and Marth Madison walk to end pancreatic cancer with the Soap Hub logo.Find out what Eric Martsolf and Martha Madison have planned in April.
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Days of our Lives stars Martha Madison and Eric Martsolf are joining forces. The two sought inspiration after Drake Hogestyn’s tragic death from pancreatic cancer. They’re forming the ultimate team to put an end to pancreatic cancer.

Teaming Up For An Important Cause

According to a press release on Wednesday, March 19, soap stars Madison and Martsolf are forming the ultimate team. The PurpleStride team called “Hogey’s Home Runners” will support their hero and TV dad, Hogestyn, who portrayed John Black on DAYS. Sadly, Hogestyn lost his life from pancreatic cancer last year. The daytime stars want to unite to raise awareness and funds.

“Drake was the most energetic, optimistic, and compassionate man in Salem, and we know he would want us to focus on joy, togetherness, and fun as we move toward a future devoid of pancreatic cancer,” Madison said in a statement. “So, with a heart full of Drake’s team spirit and a crew full of Salem’s most familiar faces, we invite you to join our first-ever PurpleStride team walk in Los Angeles on April 26th! We’d love to see you there!”

MORE: Eric Martsolf & Marth Madison co-chair fundraiser for Darke Hogestyn.

Other Famous Faces

Golden Bachelorette alum Joan Vassos will be a guest speaker at the PurpleStride Washington, D.C. walk. Her team is called “It’s Just a Sprain.” They will attend the PanCAN PurpleStride walk in Washington, D.C. This mission is also personal for Vassos, who lost her husband, John, to pancreatic cancer in 2021.

“He passed away after almost 2 years of fighting this horrible disease,” Vassos said in her statement. “Our family is so grateful to finally have a way to honor John’s memory in a way that would have been meaningful to him by helping others. Please join us in keeping John’s memory alive!”

As you can see, this super walk takes place from coast to coast. Other notable celebrities include the late Patrick Swazye’s wife, actress Lisa Swayze, British comedian Eric Idle, and some of the cast and crew from the Star Trek franchise. Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, with a five-year survival rate.

Early detection is impossible, but it’s critical for the cancer to be surgically removed as soon as possible. This walk helps create awareness, funding, and research for pancreatic cancer for promising outcomes. Learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, including its mission, at pancan.org.

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