I am Grace, widow of Matthew “Jim” Zetz whom is the inspiration of this foundation. My purpose for creating a family foundation was to help raise awareness & funds in cause of finding a cure along with early detection for pancreatic cancer.
As a nurse it is different to see your loved one suffer and die. But for this particular cancer there is not enough research with the mortality rate being extremely high at less than 6% survival rate. It is known as the “silent killer” because by the time symptoms appear it is usually too late. This cancer is aggressive and by 2020 will become the second deadliest.
Jim & I were married 25 years, this is the legacy I will help leave behind for him. Along, with our family we will work together with other pancreatic foundations to create the demand for further funding so not only our decedents but those struck by this killer disease are left with hope and cure.
I am Matthew James Zetz IV, the son of the late Jim Zetz. I graduated from California State University, East Bay with a B.S. in Business Administration. I joined the board of the directors before my father passed. I feel it is my life's purpose to find a way to not only test, but find a cure for Pancreatic Cancer. I don't want my children to go through what my father went through.
My name is Veronica Vera. Jim Zetz was my brother in law, his wife is my sister. I chose to be involved in this foundation because I saw first hand what cancer can do to a family. Not only do you watch your loved one slowly die but the whole family suffers as well. My sister was his caretaker and an excellent one I might add. She is an RN and gave him the best care possible. But the toll it has taken on her is devastating. Her whole life came to a halt, she stopped working to continually be by his side. She also had to care for her young daughter Josie as well as maintain the usual life responsibilities like bills, housework or even just trying to get out and tend to her outdoor responsibilities. She could barely find the time to go to the Dr. for her own well being or health.
I could not bear to see any of her children or other family members go through this, either as a caretaker or a victim. As long as I am healthy enough to assist and make a difference then that is what I will do. I want to help my sister and her family.
I am Victoria Boyd (Zetz), and I have over 10 years of executive administrative experience. After being C.E.O. of my own virtual assisting company, my fiancee's father was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. When I learned it was possibly genetic, I decided to put all of my efforts to finding a test, if not a cure for pancreatic cancer. I'm invested to potentially save the lives of not only my fiancee, but our children.
My name is Samantha Zetz and I work the social media end of Zetz Family Pancreatic Foundation via Instagram.
It takes a special man to accept children into his heart that are not biologically his and make them his own. I would not want to call anyone else my father. Working as a family on this foundation is everything he wanted and more. With our goals of creating awareness, funding the cure, and commitment to making a difference, I have no doubt that we will go far and continue my father's legacy. We are determined. We are hardworking. We are stubborn. We are passionate. We are not afraid. We are Zetz's.
I'm Rose Zetz the daughter of Jim Zetz and I wish to see this disease find a cure for myself, my daughter and from all those who suffer from pancreatic cancer. My college background is in biology so I will help by running the Twitter site to gather up to date studies, research and help spread awareness. Our father loved his family. This is my way to give back.
I am Josephine Zetz but I prefer to be called Josie much better.
Though I am the youngest of the family I want to help too. My part in this family foundation is a Vlog called Josie's Journal. Because I would like to help other kids who are going through some of the same things I have gone through and feel like they have a friend to talk too.
I loved my dad and he taught to be a stronger person. I miss him. My wish is to find a cure for pancreatic cancer someday soon.