Stepping Up for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
October 7, 2025
Dan Fine loves an underdog.
For the entrepreneur and web development pioneer, this literally includes dogs (and cats) through the Ukraine War Animal Relief Fund (UWARF). He cofounded the non-profit dedicated to sterilizing and vaccinating the countless pets left behind by Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion to prevent overpopulation and the dangerous spread of rabies.
After he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it also includes the disease that is underfunded and overlooked compared to other cancers.
Difficult to detect at an early stage, due to lack of symptoms, and resistant to treatment once advanced, pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers. Life expectancy for 75% of patients is only one year past diagnosis.
With no iconic pink ribbon campaign or well-supported moustache-growing fundraiser, pancreatic cancer also lacks public awareness despite the fact that 800 British Columbians are diagnosed each year.
During the time he has left, Dan is hoping to help change this by stepping up as the race director for Kicking PancreAs, a high-energy, evening 5 km run/walk in Stanley Park on Nov. 8, in which proceeds will be split between the BC Cancer Foundation and Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society.
From unknown to ambassador
“It was the first time I ever heard about pancreatic cancer,” Dan admits of his own January 2024 diagnosis when he and his wife, Kim, were vacationing in France.
“I flew home to B.C. and contacted BC Cancer, and I can’t tell you what an incredible experience it’s been. They’re just wonderful human beings. I lucked out and got the leading expert in Canada for pancreatic cancer, Dr. Dan Renouf. And on top of that he’s a good guy.”
As a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen, with access to Medicare, Dan says he also contacted an American cancer centre. By the time he heard back from them he was already receiving chemotherapy at BC Cancer, whose Rapid Access Clinic was created to expedite and streamline treatment for pancreatic cancer patients.
Later, Dan did have a consultation with a U.S. oncologist, and says, “I met with a great doctor down there, at an amazing organization, but his advice was, ‘Go to BC Cancer.’”
Dan’s therapist at BC Cancer referred him to Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Society. Much like with UWARF — which began as a month’s volunteering at a Ukrainian animal sanctuary and snowballed into cofounding an international charity that rescues and rehomes abandoned animals and an executive producer role on the award-winning documentary, War Tails — it evolved into a cause from which Dan says he receives as much as he gives.
“I have loved Craig’s Cause because of the support, but also the smiles and the tips and advice you get,” he says of the camaraderie and compassionate support he’s enjoyed through weekly meetings and a What’s App chat with other pancreatic cancer patients.
When Dan found out the B.C. counterpart of their signature cross-Canada fundraising event, Kicking PancreAs, only drew 28 participants last year, he, of course, was drawn once again to advocating for the underrepresented.
Dan and Kim.
“I love a good challenge. It’s let’s go get the right partners, the BC Cancer Foundation and the Vancouver White Caps FC,” — who are donating tickets and autographed items, and for whom pancreatic cancer is personal as they lost their friend sports broadcaster Paul Carson to the disease in 2010.
Kicking PancreAs is as much about philanthropy — to push for life-saving pancreatic cancer research, more effective treatments and patient support — as it is a party. Participants are encouraged to wear purple, get creative with costumes and glow-in-the-dark accessories.
Dan promises it will be, “Lights on, hearts full, music loud.”
Making every day a diamond
“You’ve got to have meaning in your life. You’ve got to have a mission,” says Dan, for whom giving back is a lifeline. “Especially right now when the world isn’t being very kind to each other. It’s a good time to be kind and do what we can to help.”
Neither war-ravaged Ukraine nor cancer could steal Dan’s light, which he finds in even the darkest moments. Including this past year when his younger brother was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and his older brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“Chat GPT says the odds of that are one in 60,000. To all have cancer at the same time, three out of three brothers — it’s like Saving Private Ryan.”
It’s unfortunate his brothers had to also face the disease, but Dan says, “I’m glad that we had it together so that we could talk about real things with each other, as brothers.”
When you’re full of gratitude, there’s no space for self-pity, he says. “I’m not going to lay around and cry. I’ve been fortunate. A good family, a grandson, a granddog. A good life.”
And of course, Kim, his wife of 38 years who he says has made him feel like the luckiest man alive. “Being married to me can’t be easy because I’m very impulsive, but she’s stood by me every step and supported me. And now on this final journey, she is doing everything she can make sure I’m comfortable and happy.”
Dan draws on all of this to stay positive, saying “No matter how much pain you have, every day can be a diamond. When you have cancer, everyone says, ‘I’m so sorry.’ Well, I am too but it’s part of my journey — so let’s have some fun.”
