December Jefferson Award Winner: Annette Fetty-Santilli

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - Once a month, WDTV and Antero Resources award one deserving community member with a Jefferson Award. For the month of December, we’re honoring Annette Fetty-Santilli.

Annette’s volunteerism is a labor of love.

She has made pancreatic cancer awareness her mission.

“My 36-year old brother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006,” said Annette. “We had no family history and really didn’t know much about the disease. And then he passed away just 18 months later. I just felt called to do something about this disease so no one else should have to suffer like he did.”

That calling led Annette to become the West Virginia Community Partner for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and a member of the group’s national volunteer advisory council. She helps sponsor awareness activities statewide that help spread the world about the effects of the disease.

“Pancreatic cancer is one of those diseases that by the time you really pay attention to the symptoms or notice them, that the cancer has already spread to another part of the body, which in my brother’s case it had spread from the pancreas to the liver,” Annette said. “Depending on where the tumor is in your pancreas will determine some of your symptoms.”

During all of her good works, her late brother is never far from her thoughts.

He’s always in the back of my mind every time we do something,” said Annette. “I’ve also been fortunate enough to go to Washington, D.C. to advocate for more federal funding for pancreatic cancer. Of course, every time I go up there I take his picture with me.”

Annette is appreciative to be recognized.

“I’m just grateful when people notice that, hopefully, I do it all for the awareness of the disease,” Annette said.

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