Whit Won't Quit: A Mom, Teacher, and Fighter

About a month ago, our mom, Shannon, started experiencing chest pain and fullness. She figured it was heartburn and kept pushing through, like she always does. But when the pain persisted, her coworkers urged her to get checked out. A CT scan revealed something none of us expected — a tumor on her pancreas.

After more testing, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer — a rare stage for detection, since most pancreatic cancers are not caught until they’ve advanced significantly. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive types, often found late due to vague early symptoms. In fact, about 80% of pancreatic cancers are diagnosed in stage III or IV, which is why early detection, like in Shannon’s case, gives us real hope.

Our Plan

Shannon's biopsy results recently came back confirming the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, meaning that she will partake in numerous rounds of chemotherapy. She underwent surgery to receive a port yesterday and will begin chemotherapy next week, including an at-home chemo ball for additional meds at home. Her treatment plan will be intensive, but we’re hopeful. The goal is to surgically remove the tumor; however, it is currently pressed against a vein that disqualifies Shannon as a candidate for surgery right now.

The hope is that chemotherapy will shrink the tumor and create enough space between it and the vein so she can become eligible for surgery as soon as possible. Surgery is currently the only path to a potential cure, so we’re holding on tightly to that goal.

While Shannon undergoes treatment, she and our family are also navigating the financial weight that comes with a cancer diagnosis, including:

Any contributions will go directly toward supporting Shannon’s care and helping ease some of the practical burdens ahead.

All About Shannon

Shannon is a 45-year-old mom of five and a third/fourth grade teacher in our local community. She's hilarious, hardworking, and wildly devoted to her family and her students. Whether it’s canning homegrown veggies, cheering from the sidelines, or staying up late for one more heart-to-heart, she gives everything she has to what she does.

Shannon graduated from Mission San Jose High School in 1998 and attended Chico State University for several years after. She spent 20 years serving the community, working at the Fremont Police Department from 1998 to 2006, and the Pleasanton Police Department from 2006 to 2019. Between working full-time and going to school, Shannon welcomed her first child, Hailey, in 2004.

Shannon met my dad, Mike, in 1998, senior year, at a concert and dated for a short time after. They eventually parted ways, only to find each other again and eventually married in October 2008. They've been blessed with an additional four children since. Hailey (21), Dominic (15), Emma (13), Avery (10), and Jackson (7) are doing their best to keep their mom laughing and running from sporting events to bedtime stories during this time.

In 2019, Shannon and Mike recognized a God-given opportunity and moved their family to Idaho. They have spent the last six years making friends, building communities, and thriving. The Whitaker family has been rooted in gratitude ever since, seeing the many blessings Idaho has provided.

In Fall 2023, Shannon was offered a new opportunity to serve her Idaho community — teaching 3rd and 4th grade at Freedom Academy in Eagle. It’s been a perfect fit for her heart and gifts, and she’s been devoted to her students ever since.

Shannon is our rock. Our mom, our friend, our safe place.

She’s also deeply faithful and full of grit. She doesn’t sit still, and she doesn’t sit back. She’s showing up for this fight the same way she’s always shown up for us — with strength, grace, and a whole lot of humor.

How You Can Help

We’ve already been overwhelmed by the kindness people have shown, and it means more than we can say. Whether you feel led to donate, pray, or share this page, we’re deeply grateful.

Thank you for supporting Shannon — and all of us — through this. We’ll keep updating this page as we learn more.

With love,

Hailey & the rest of the Whitaker Family