The Editor’s note: This blog post is being shared on behalf of Larry Steffann’s family. To learn more about the life and legacy of Larry Steffann, please read this WRAL TechWire Article.
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It’s been 1,370 days since Larry Steffann’s, Cofounder of RIoT, life was prematurely stolen after his fewer than 100-day battle with Pancreatic Cancer. 1,370 days since Larry – a Husband, a Father, a Grampy, a Brother, an Uncle, a Friend, a Neighbor, and a Mentor to so many of you – has been gone.
The hole doesn’t get smaller, the grief doesn’t wane, and the heartbreak doesn’t lessen for any of us. The loss of someone who was loved like Larry was, and still is, and who loved and lived like Larry never leaves us. However, we remember to keep his memory a blessing. Part of doing that is by “Striding on for Grampy” in the Annual PanCan Purple Stride Walk.
In 2018, Larry showed up at Purple Stride to watch my sister, Lauren, and I cross the finish line. This was the first time we would participate in the PanCan annual walk in support of our Dad. He had just begun his fight against pancreatic cancer. The very first walk took place the morning following his very first chemo treatment. He still managed to show up and greet us with his support and his larger than life smile as we crossed the finish line. If you knew Larry, this should come as no surprise.
This year, on April 30th, we will walk our 5th walk in Larry’s Memory. We continue his fight against this incurable and calamitous disease as we stride on with HOPE towards a CURE to end pancreatic cancer.
Our goal for this year’s walk is $1,370 – one dollar for each day that we couldn’t hug him, hold his hand, call him, hear him say ‘I love you,’ listen to his boisterous laugh, learn from him, make a memory with him, or see that great big smile illuminate his face.
All donations raised by Team Striding on for Grampy will go directly to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Loved Locals Friends & Co-Workers:
We’d be honored to have you register and join us on 4/30/22 in Raleigh for the walk. Text me (Bena) for details 561-445-8818 to find out where to meet us on the NC State – Centennial Campus.
Loved Out-of-Town Friends & Family: We’d be honored if you’d join us and take a short stroll on 4/30/22 in his memory.
Together we can raise our goal of $1370.00 as we continue to Stride on for Grampy 2022.
With Gratitude,
Bena Steffann and The Steffann Family
