Like many people who died from pancreatic cancer, he went too young—and much too quickly.
His friends and family, however, were resolved that even though he had passed, he should never be gone. They joined together, created a foundation in his name, and dedicated it towards finding a method of early detection that could someday spare others the fate that befallen Michael.
He fell ill in 1998, initially afflicted by a mild heart attack. Though a full recovery was projected, instead he began suffering from a series of ailments, which left his physicians at a loss. It was in March of 1999 that his pancreatic cancer was discovered, and two weeks later – he had died.
The Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation marches on, honoring not only Michael’s memory, but the memory of all the family and friends its members and supporters have lost to this horrible disease.
It is a proud legacy—one that we strive to live up to.