Natalie Harris’ world shifted when her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In the midst of that difficult time, she found a way to support him, and others, by creating something rooted in care, community, and connection.
As a nurse, Natalie was no stranger to caregiving, but this time, it was personal. Inspired to give back and raise awareness, she partnered with a local Pilates studio in Brookfield, Wisconsin, her hometown, to launch an event that merged her personal connection with a powerful cause.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Natalie’s father first began showing symptoms while on a cruise with his wife and friends. He was unusually exhausted, and then his wife noticed the whites of his eyes had turned yellow. Fortunately, Natalie’s husband is a physician. Once her parents docked in Puerto Rico, they reached out to him immediately.
“This wasn’t something that we were going to mess around with,” Natalie said. Her parents immediately called to schedule an appointment upon their return to Wisconsin. After a series of tests, doctors found a tumor closing off his bile duct, explaining the jaundice. The diagnosis was pancreatic cancer. It was found early due to their quick action and the location of the tumor, which is rare for a cancer known for late detection.
Following his diagnosis, Natalie’s father underwent six months of chemotherapy and radiation, followed by a Whipple procedure in October 2024. Since then, he has not required additional treatment.
Movement With Meaning
“I have been doing Pilates for the last three years and have loved it,” Natalie stated. “I was like, maybe I could do something with my Club Pilates. I talked with the owner, and she said, ‘We love to get involved with nonprofits and do donation-based classes.’ We got communicating and started working and found a date that worked, and thankfully, it ended up being a hit.”
Unable to run due to knee injuries from her time as a Division I gymnast, Natalie brainstormed other ways to get people involved. Pilates stood out as the perfect fit: low-impact, accessible, and deeply healing.
She pitched her idea to the owner of Club Pilates in Brookfield. The studio, where both Natalie and her mother are members, was immediately on board. “I’m doing this on behalf of my dad,” Natalie explained. “The fact that my mom is also a member, and it’s her husband that we’re doing this for, I think they were more on board to participate with Project Purple.”
Together, they organized two donation-based classes open to anyone, with opportunities for all members to contribute. Participants were encouraged to wear purple, the color of pancreatic cancer awareness.
When asked why she chose pilates, Natalie answered, “You’re not only physically doing something, but you’re also able to mentally take yourself to a different place. We’re moving our bodies for a reason, for people who maybe can’t do this. We’re helping in a therapeutic way.”
A Community Response
Natalie’s mother, who has stood by her husband every step of the way, found the event to be emotionally healing and therapeutic. “I think she was able to see that not only does she have her core group of friends and family supporting her, but there are other people. Even if they’re not in her core group, there are still other people who have been able to support and encourage my mom and me throughout this journey,” said Natalie.
The community rallied. Members asked how her father was doing and offered help wherever they could. Her father, in turn, was deeply moved and touched that everybody had come together to support him and fight against pancreatic cancer.
“He knows that I’m very passionate about helping to raise awareness because it’s something that hits so close to home,” said Natalie when describing what this event has meant to her father. As a nurse, Natalie naturally wants to help people. Being able to combine that passion with supporting her dad and others affected by pancreatic cancer means the world to her.
Looking Ahead
Natalie plans to keep the momentum going. “You want to be able to give back to others. What my dad has received — the care, support, and encouragement — I just want to continue to make a difference through Project Purple,” she says. That’s why she’s committed to “doing this class, continuing to work with Project Purple, and helping raise awareness and funds for something so close to home.”
She’s also looking to expand her efforts by partnering with the Lake Country DockHounds, a local minor league baseball team, to host an inclusion walk for pancreatic cancer.
And her ultimate hope? More testing. More research. A cure.
For anyone looking to make a difference, Natalie’s advice is simple but powerful: “Just talk to the people around you and talk to the people who are involved with what you might be passionate about.” Her persistence and compassion turned an idea into a movement, and her story is a reminder that even in the face of a daunting diagnosis and disease, there is strength in community, movement, and love.
Inspired by Natalie’s story? Contact us about starting your own community event or check out these Ways To Give.
