This weekend, we brought pancreatic cancer advocacy to Pride in the Park, and it was one of our proudest moments yet.
We set up our booth under the trees in Bannerman Park with purpose — draped in purple, lined with balloons, and stacked with over 1,000 pancreas-shaped cookies. And by the end of the day? Every single one was gone. Not because they were free — but because people cared. They asked questions. They shared stories. They learned that pancreatic cancer isn’t rare. It’s just neglected.
This was more than just a table or a tent. This was visibility. This was queerness, grief, courage, and community all in one space. This was Heather’s story being told aloud in a place full of joy and resistance. We honoured her — and all Canadians living with pancreatic cancer — by showing up boldly, loudly, and with a little bit of mischief (yes, there were a lot of “pancreas or penis?” moments — and we leaned in. Because advocacy doesn’t need to be sterile).
Our volunteers — Nhi, Kimia, Deanne, Lisa — and everyone who baked, packed, and organized behind the scenes — brought their full hearts to this. And Holly? Holly baked almost 700 of those pancreas cookies by hand. Heather would be so proud.
And to everyone who stopped by — who asked questions, who told us they’d never seen a booth like ours, who asked, “Why haven’t I heard about this before?” — you are why we do this.
We’re a LGBTQ2IA+-led, federally registered nonprofit. We’ve only been around for nine months. And we’re already changing what pancreatic cancer advocacy looks like in this country.
Founder Christopher Cutler shared: “I left Newfoundland when I was 19, and it was a really different environment at that time. To see such a turnout now — for Pride, for the Foundation, for visibility, for pancreatic cancer awareness — the support and the community are honestly overwhelming. To get this chance to really meet so many people face to face… and the cookies turned out to be the best conversation starters.”
Our petition — your signatures, your support — helped us get here. You helped us build the credibility to take up space at events like this. You’ve helped us keep this conversation alive. So thank you.
And we’re not done.
Want to do even more?
To help us bring not just patient grants to those who need them most, but also launch our upcoming From Coast to Cure Research Grant — aimed at attracting researchers from Atlantic Canada, for Atlantic Canadians — please consider making a donation.
🔗 Donate directly to The Heather Cutler Foundation
Every gift helps us fund equity-driven change, research, and direct support for those living with pancreatic cancer.
Stay loud. Stay purple. Stay with us. 💜
