Margaret and John with their family
Margaret and John Wilbur met at age 17 and built lives of service together — Margaret as an internal medicine physician and John as a city planner and housing advocate. After moving to Charlotte in 2017, the Wilburs embraced life as grandparents, enjoying reading, traveling, and biking together.
In 2020, their lives were upended when John was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma, a form of pancreatic cancer. Aware of the aggressive nature of the disease, the Wilburs found confidence and hope in Dr. Kunal Kadakia, an oncologist at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute. “Dr. Kadakia is special,” shares Margaret. “John always felt hopeful and we both felt we had agency to make decisions.”
John joined a locally advanced pancreatic cancer clinical trial, hoping that the study would improve his prognosis and offer better treatment options to other patients in his position. Although side effects forced John to leave the trial, Dr. Kadakia’s thoughtful care plan gave the Wilburs what mattered most: time to embrace life together, filled with love, adventure, and peace.
“We were able to travel, see friends, ride bikes — all of the things we loved,” says Margaret. “I give credit to Dr. Kadakia. He knew what quality of life meant for us, and we felt like that was a win.”
John survived four years after his diagnosis — a medical miracle on many counts. Grateful for the time he and Margaret had been given, he asked Margaret to support research that would help others. Honoring his wishes, Margaret recently made a gift to advance pancreatic cancer research at Atrium Health Levine Cancer, led by Dr. Kadakia and Dr. Brandon VanderVeen, assistant professor of cancer biology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
“My hope — and John’s hope — is that by funding research, 10 years from now there will be a difference in the outcomes for patients and families,” shares Margaret.
With support from the Wilburs, Dr. Kadakia and Dr. VanderVeen are currently co-leading a study on cancer cachexia — a common and significant complication for many patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “We are humbled and grateful to know that the Wilburs made the decision to give funds for research that will enhance the lives of other cancer patients,” says Dr. Kadakia.