Celebrating Jan Meyer's Delaware Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Service Award
In this last week of National Volunteer Month, we celebrate Jan Meyer – an exceptional individual who is being recognized for her remarkable contributions to her community and beyond. Jan was presented the Delaware Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Award. Administered by the State Office of Volunteerism, the award honors individuals and groups in Delaware who have made a positive impact in their communities or across the state through service and volunteering.
Jan’s contributions to the community are extensive, and her impact has been felt by countless individuals. She has been involved in and managed activities to raise awareness and funds for cholangiocarcinoma. Jan has a heart for service and has spent countless hours helping others in need and she is a true example of what it means to give back to the community. Jan’s passion for this cause stems from her personal experience with the disease.
Though Jan is a CCA patient, this is not her first contact with this cancer. Jan’s mom also had CCA and passed away in 2011 in her 79th year. Her unwavering dedication and selfless service to the community are truly inspiring and deserving of recognition.
Jan has served the cause in many ways including raising awareness and leading fundraising efforts that has resulted in hundreds of thousands for cholangiocarcinoma research, including naming a research grant after Jan’s Mom, “The Margaret M Brown Research Fellowship.” Together, Jan and her husband Dean host the Annual Quack Out Cholangio 5K to Crush Bile Duct Cancer which has been successful in raising significant funds. This year at the 10th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference a Quack Out Fellowship was announced and awarded. The Quack Out Cholangio 5k Research Fellowship Grant honoring Kathy Byrnes (known as Kathy Kbt to the warriors) and Shannon McCarty is awarded to Paula Olaizola from MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine. Paula will be investigating the reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and CAFs within the emerging cholangiocarcinoma tumour microenvironment.
In their memory, Kathy’s husband, Billy, and Shannon’s husband, Ron, were the official starters of the 3rd Annual Quack Out 5k in 2022. Shannon, a mother of three, was diagnosed with stage 4 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma at age 44 and passed away at age 46. Shannon loved traveling, the Denver Broncos, and eating terrible things like scrapple. Kathy was diagnosed with stage 4a intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma at age 36 and passed away at age 41. Kathy loved traveling, napping, and spending time with her friends and family. Jan’s service to the community has not gone unnoticed.
The 4th Annual Quack Out Cholangio 5k to Crush Bile Duct Cancer will take place on May 20, 2023, at Midnight Oil Brewing Company in Newark, DE. This is a live AND virtual event. All participants will receive a T-shirt, medal, and a Cure Cholangiocarcinoma shoe tags and baby duck, and more! In-person participants will also receive a free lunch and a beer if they are over 21 years of age.
You can watch highlights from last year’s race
Hosted and planned by Jan and Dean Meyer, this event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years. Their goal is to raise $100,000 this year. All proceeds from the 4th Annual Quack Out Cholangio will be given to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and earmarked for research only.
The Foundation would like to extend our gratitude and congratulations to Jan and Dean Meyer for all they have done. Their support will make a tremendous impact on our efforts to raise awareness, advance research, and improve the lives of those affected by cholangiocarcinoma. Thank you, Jan and Dean Meyer, for your unwavering support and dedication to our community.
