A LIFE THAT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE
Matt's Story
Written by his loving wife, Donna Janicki.
Matt’s story is like that of so many stricken with pancreatic cancer—a life ended too soon, leaving a permanent void for those who loved him. The Matt Janicki Memorial Golf Tournament benefits Project Purple and is not only in memory of Matt, but in memory of all who have died from pancreatic cancer. Our goal is to increase the odds of survival by increasing early detection.
The MJ33 Forever Memorial Golf Tournament was born out of a desire to honor a remarkable man—a father, husband, coach, and friend—and to continue his legacy of love, strength, and perseverance.
Matt Janicki Jr. passed away from pancreatic cancer on June 6, 2018. My son Matthew, while on paternity leave with his first child, came up with the idea of holding a memorial golf tournament. Everyone was on board, and together, Matthew, Marissa, Sam, and I began planning the event. What was initially meant to be a gathering for friends and family to remember Matt while supporting a good cause has evolved into something much greater. Today, it serves as both a fundraiser for pancreatic cancer research and an opportunity to raise awareness about the relentlessness of this disease and the inadequacy of current treatments.
Our event benefits Project Purple, an organization dedicated to funding research specifically for pancreatic cancer. We want our participants to know that their donations will make a significant impact in the fight against this disease.
Matt's Legacy
Matt wasn’t just my husband; he was a father to our three children—Matthew, Marissa, and Sam—a mentor to countless young athletes in soccer, baseball, and football, and a friend to anyone in need. He had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel special. Above all, Matt loved life. He cherished watching our kids grow, teaching them how to ride bikes, how to play every sport imaginable, and, most importantly, how to be kind.
Then, everything changed.
The Diagnosis
It was a Friday in December, and I remember leaving for work that morning, thinking Matt’s face looked jaundiced, though I brushed it off. He’d lost a lot of weight, but then again, he’d always wanted to lose weight. Matt had visited the doctor several times for stomach issues and was scheduled for a CAT scan in a few weeks, but insurance delays stood in the way.
When Matt called me that afternoon saying he needed to give another urine sample, something didn’t feel right. I told him to wait at the doctor’s office, even though it was nearly closing time. When I arrived, he was sitting in his car, and the office was already closed. I called the CAT scan office, begging them for an earlier appointment, but they insisted on waiting for prior approval. Matt was frustrated, but I drove him to the ER.
After a long wait, we were called back for tests. The doctor, who had been covering for the ER shift, came in to speak with us. I knew then that we were about to hear news we weren’t prepared for. "Pancreatic cancer," he said. The words hit us like a tidal wave, knocking the breath out of me. The prognosis was grim, and Matt was admitted for more tests.
The Battle
But Matt was never one to give up. With the help of friends, we found the best doctors, and in January, Matt underwent the Whipple procedure—a 10-hour surgery. Unfortunately, the doctors were unable to remove all the tumor because it was too close to an artery. Next came chemotherapy and radiation. Even when the treatment took its toll, even when the days seemed impossibly hard, Matt kept pushing forward. He kept coaching.
Then, good news! The tumor was gone. Matt’s scans were clear. We celebrated, full of hope and relief.
But the joy was short-lived. During a routine scan, new tumors were found. We were forced to start the process all over again. We found another doctor, had a port inserted, and began chemo once more, along with a clinical trial. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as hoped. Matt had to leave the trial due to repeated infections, and the chemotherapy was taking a heavy toll on his body. We made countless trips to the ER.
The last trip was on May 17, the day Marissa graduated from college. Matt was admitted to the ICU, and the doctors informed us his heart was giving out. We were told it wouldn’t be long.
Matt passed away just a few days later, after a long and courageous battle. It felt like a lifetime, but in reality, it was just a few short months. I stayed by his side in those final days, holding his hand. The hardest part was saying goodbye. We knew he wasn’t coming home, but we hadn’t prepared. No one had told me to ask all the questions about how things would work, where things were, or what we should do next. In the end, we could only say goodbye.
A Legacy of Love
Matt touched so many lives. He coached young athletes in football, baseball, soccer, softball, and basketball. He served our country for 28 years in the Army National Guard, and he was an active member of our parish communities at Our Lady of Fatima and St. Elizabeth’s. He was a force of nature—full of charisma, energy, and determination. His boisterous spirit was impossible to ignore, and we all loved him for it.
Matt’s spirit and love will live on in our hearts, in every step Matthew, Marissa, and Sam take, and in every memory we share with Claire, our first granddaughter, born in 2024, and our first grandson, Matthew Janicki IV, born in 2026. His love will stay with us, today and always.
