Reese Evans always shared a close bond with her Aunt Shelia, who had been one of her biggest supporters for as long as she could remember. So when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and sadly passed away just a few months later, Reese wanted to turn her grief into something meaningful.
On Saturday, May 2, Reese stood at the Washington Depot Pavilion in Washington, Connecticut, as friends, family, and members of the community gathered for Steps for Sheila, a pancreatic cancer walk raising over $4,000 to support pancreatic cancer research and awareness as her senior project.
The Heart of the Community
Everyone in the town of Washington, Connecticut, knew Sheila, and many would agree that to know her is to love her. Not only has Sheila made a lasting impact on Reese’s life, but she’s also done the same for the Washington community.
For more than 20 years, Sheila worked for the town and spent countless hours at the Washington Pavilion, where she became a familiar and welcoming face. Whether she was helping with community events or simply stopping to chat, Sheila made it a point to build genuine connections with everyone she met. It was only fitting that the pavilion, where Reese later hosted Steps for Sheila, was eventually named in her honor.
Growing up, Reese quickly learned just how many lives her aunt had touched. Every trip into town seemed to turn into a conversation with someone Sheila knew. Through those experiences, Sheila taught Reese the value of building meaningful relationships and showing genuine care for those around you.
“That’s something she always taught me,” Reese said. “Be out there and get to know people and genuinely care about them.”
Sheila’s love and support extended far beyond the community. With Reese’s grandparents living far away, Sheila became a constant presence in her life, never missing an opportunity to cheer her on. She attended every milestone, especially Reese’s field hockey games. Having once played for the same team herself, Sheila remained deeply involved, helping at games, traveling to tournaments, and encouraging the team every step of the way.
The Diagnosis
It all happened very quickly. In December of 2024, Shelia was hospitalized for stomach pain and jaundice. Initially, Sheila was hesitant to start treatment.
“She didn’t like seeming like she was weak or needed help,” Reese said.
By the time she began chemotherapy in March, the cancer had already taken a tremendous toll on her. After Sheila didn’t show up for work one day, Reese’s grandfather went to check on her. When he got to her house, she was feeling very unwell, and her skin had turned yellow. She was hospitalized, and sadly passed away two days later.
Reese visited her aunt in the hospital once.
“I remember looking at her, and she was really yellow and pale and just out of it,” Reese said. “It was very hard seeing her like that because it was so different from who I knew she was.”
Before Sheila’s diagnosis, Reese did not know much about pancreatic cancer. As she learned more about the disease and how quickly it had taken her aunt, she knew she wanted her senior project to make a difference for other families facing the same diagnosis.
A Senior Project With a Purpose
Going into her senior year and having her senior project ahead of her, Reese knew that she wanted to do something to help people. Since she would spend the entire year working on it, she wanted it to be impactful.
While brainstorming ideas with her advisor, she shared Sheila’s story. During that conversation, she learned that her advisor’s dad also passed away from pancreatic cancer quickly, like Sheila. In that conversation, along with some in her community, she realized how common yet not talked about pancreatic cancer is in her community.
“I realized then that it would be beneficial for the community to learn more about pancreatic cancer and put out to the community what it is so people can be more aware,” Reese said. “And if there is any way they can find early diagnosis, then it can help someone.”
Inspired to make a difference, Reese began researching pancreatic cancer and decided to center her project around raising awareness and supporting those affected by the disease. Because Sheila had such a profound impact on her life, she felt she owed it to her to honor her memory.
Every Fourth of July, Reese and Sheila participated in a community 5k that Sheila loved. Remembering how much her aunt enjoyed bringing people together, Reese knew a run/walk would be the perfect way to celebrate her life while raising awareness for pancreatic cancer.
“We thought it would be cool to honor her by doing another walk/run event,” Reese said.
Honoring Sheila Through Community
Coming from such a small town that Sheila was so heavily involved in, it was quite easy to get the word out. People throughout the town were eager to help bring her vision to life and make the event a success. The outpouring of support was greater than Reese could have imagined.
“It was cool seeing so many people come and support my project and want to help me raise money for pancreatic cancer,” Reese Shared. “And it was another great way to honor my aunt.”
As Reese worked on her project, she met many people who shared their stories and memories of Sheila. Hearing how much Sheila meant to others made Reese feel even more connected to her aunt. Even when Sheila wasn’t physically there, Reese continued to learn more about her through the people she met and the relationships built throughout the process.
“I feel like I’ve gained a piece of her when I was making these connections with people,” Reese said.
The support Reese received from her community carried her through her entire project. Her classmates, teachers, and community members all wanted her to succeed and were willing to help however they could. On the day of the event, familiar faces showed up to support her, while others who saw the event happening stopped by to learn more and show their encouragement.
Seeing so many people come together lifted a weight off of Reese’s shoulders. The day was filled with emotion, and having her friends and family by her side made it even more meaningful. Everyone knew how much Sheila meant to Reese, so they wanted to show as much support as possible. With more people attending than she expected, Reese was able to bring her community together while raising significant funds for Project Purple.
A Legacy That Lives On
Looking back on her project, Reese feels incredibly proud of what she accomplished. Knowing the funds raised would go toward helping people and families in similar situations made all of the hard work worth it.
“I think she would be very proud of me,” Reese shared.
Reese believes that if Sheila were still around, she would be right in the middle of the event, as she enjoyed community gatherings so much. She would have done everything she could to support the cause, spread the word, and bring people together.
Throughout her experience, Reese learned how much of an impact one person can have on others. Not only did she see that through her aunt, but she also was able to see it through herself and what she was able to accomplish. It made all the hard work worth it.
As she did in her senior project, Reese will continue to carry Sheila with her and spread her love.
“I think she would have loved to be there if she were still around,” Reese shared.
If you would like to start your own event to further Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer, click here to contact us.
