Community Champion: Eric Parker Brings Inspiration and Progress with Jingle for Janet
On Saturday, December 20, the Waterford, Wisconsin community came together for the 2025 Jingle for Janet 5K/3K in loving memory of Janet Parker. It was one for the record books! With 188 registrations, this year marked the largest attendance ever in the event’s 8-year history. Pair that with beautiful winter weather, and it was a perfect day to rally for a cause that matters.
Thanks to an incredible group of supporters, the event raised over $20,000 for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, the highest total ever for Jingle for Janet. Huge thanks to CCF volunteer Greg Metzler for capturing the spirit of the day through his photos.
With this milestone year, Eric Parker has now raised more than $84,000 for CCF through Jingle for Janet, demonstrating that remembrance can lead to a real, lasting influence for those facing cholangiocarcinoma.
Year after year, Janet’s legacy shines with the community jingling for a cause.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Waterford, WI and just retired from a consulting business I helped found after nearly 40 years doing wetland-related work. I also coached at Waterford High School for 20 years and raised two kids with my late wife Janet, who the annual fundraiser 5K/3K is named after. I’m currently remarried and plan to travel a lot in retirement with my wife, Lisa Mae.
How have you been involved with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation?
My first introduction to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation was during Janet’s battle years of 2014-2018. We gleaned so much important information about cholangiocarcinoma during that time, but unfortunately Janet’s mutation type did not have a cure. When she passed in hospice in October 2018, I had an idea to hold a fundraiser 5K run for the Foundation using my connections with the high school on Christmas Eve. An event was already in place on an annual basis that I started 7 years prior as a social run for track and cross country kids and Waterford alums coming back to Waterford to see their families for Christmas. So, Jingle for Janet began on December 24, 2018. I felt so much love from the community for this and CCF that I thought we should keep it going on an annual basis. We just had our 8th Annual Jingle for Janet 5K Run and 3K walk on December 20, 2025, with our best success yet.
What has been the most meaningful part of your involvement?
The most meaningful part is that with all the support from the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, I have been informed (by CCF) of the progress of the research into improving cholangiocarcinoma survival. I am very thankful that Janet was able to get the help she did and extend her life over the 4-year battle with the incredible assistance of excellent doctors, nurses, family, friends, and the Foundation. There were so many decisions that she and I had to make in that time. Also, with those 4 years, Janet was able to know and love our first-born grandson, Curtis, with whom she spent countless hours in the 32 months that she knew him. Having this background with all the struggles, I wanted others stricken with this disease to be able to extend their lives, or even beat it, knowing their loved ones would have more time with them.
What message would you like to share with others in the cholangiocarcinoma community?
Keep a positive attitude and utilize all the tools that CCF has in place to care for you and your loved ones. God has worked many miracles in this disease with countless success stories, and the CCF community is behind you all the way!
How do you stay motivated and hopeful in this work?
It is most helpful to me to think back on what has transpired over the last 7+ years since Janet has passed. There is now a better than 30% chance of survival due to the research that is funded by CCF; so my motivation to find a cure is greatly enhanced by this continuing effort!
Anything else you’d like to add?
If you’re reading this please consider registering for the 9th Annual Jingle for Janet, which will be held on Saturday December 19 this year at Waterford High School in Wisconsin. We use the RunTheDay platform, so you can find the 5K event (and 3K walk) at Runtheday.com. We have so much fun, and there’s a festive atmosphere. But wait!! Don’t stop reading if you don’t think you can get to Waterford, WI. There is a virtual option that many across the country (and even in other countries) utilize to participate. We have one of my old UW-Stevens Point alums who participates in the virtual 5K in South Korea every year! Please follow our Facebook page for Jingle for Janet for details, or call or email me at eric@heartlandecological.com.
