Rachel Sheinkop
“My mom was the best – she was a very loving, caring person and always put family first,” said Rachel Sheinkop with a smile. “And we lost her much too soon.”
Fifteen years ago, at age 68, Rachel’s mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. “She had been complaining of back pain for years, and it was probably misdiagnosed for years,” Rachel explained, adding, “I feel like we could have saved her if it had been caught earlier.” Despite the very short survival rate at that time, Rachel’s mom courageously battled for 2.5 years, which doctors credited to her healthy lifestyle and ability to participate in a clinical trial. “Although I’m grateful that we had even that much time with her, it wasn’t enough.”
Getting Involved with Rolfe Foundation
Following her mother’s death, Rachel was invited by her friend Jim Rolfe to join Rolfe Foundation’s Board of Directors and knew that she had to get involved. “Although it was still a very painful time in my life, I didn’t want anyone else to feel the way I did. If I could change that just a little bit for others, I wanted to help.” Since that time Rachel has chaired the Events and Board Development Committees, served as President of the Board, and currently leads as the Community Partnerships & Patient Advocate.
In addition to her many roles at Rolfe, Rachel is also a Team Captain for the DASH for Detection, an annual race held in Chicago to raise awareness and funds for Rolfe. “I’m very proud of Team Purple – we’ve gotten bigger each year, and I’m so appreciative of the friends and family who come out and support us,” adding, “There’s something really special about the energy at the DASH – we’re there to celebrate life, whether it’s the memory of someone we’ve lost or the warriors who are battling Pancreatic Cancer.”
What Makes Rolfe Foundation Unique
Above all, Rachel is honored to support Rolfe’s mission, that focuses on raising money for early detection research and supporting patients and families through their journey with Pancreatic Cancer. “What makes Rolfe so unique is the personal touch. We take every single phone call and answer every single text to help families find the right resources, answer their questions and hold their hands throughout the journey and beyond.”
Commemorating Rolfe’s 25th anniversary in 2024 is a historic milestone, but Rachel reminds herself that Rolfe’s vision is a world without Pancreatic Cancer. “If we could get closer to finding a way to test or screen for Pancreatic Cancer, we could save so many lives and maybe one day go out of business. Nothing would make me or the entire Rolfe team happier.”
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