Joe Eppele
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CFL Alumni and big hearted Joe Eppele joins Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation’s (PCCF) ambassador team. Joe was drafted first round, second overall, by the Toronto Argonauts in 2010 where he played for four years until going to the Ottawa Redblacks for a year in an expansion draft. Ending his CFL career, Joe returned to Toronto for a day to retire as an Argo.

Before tackling the CFL Joe competed internationally on Team Canada Track & Field in shot, hammer and disc and he attended Washington State University on a full athletic scholarship where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. Joe went on to get his MBA from DeGroote Business School, graduating in 2016.

As head trainer and owner of Royal Windsor Fitness Club, Joe encourages people to have fun with fitness through different classes such as yoga with kangaroos and bunnies. Outside the gym, Joe is busy being a Lululemon and American Tall ambassador, Beyond Yourself supplements sales representative and sponsored athlete, and Kids Help Phone celebrity spokesperson. In his spare time, Joe works closely with a wide range of charities from World Wildlife Fund, Argos Huddle Up, Big Joes Little Giants and Wellspring. 

As the primary care giver to his father during his brief battle with brain cancer, Joe understands the impact that fast acting cancers have on patients and those they love. “After loosing my father to brain cancer in 2014 I became all too familiar with the devastation cancer can cause. I am honoured to help spread awareness for such a devastating illness, especially after learning that pancreatic cancer is the second most deadly cancer, with a survival rate of only 2%” – Joe Eppele

Jason Pottinger
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Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation (PCCF) is very excited to be working with CFL Alumni and entrepreneur Jason Pottinger. Jason played nine seasons in the CFL during which time he won two Grey Cup Championships. He played three seasons with the British Columbia Lions, 5 seasons with the Toronto Argonauts, and his final season with the Ottawa Redblacks.

Jason has balanced his passion for football with his passion for business by completing his undergraduate at McMaster Univeristy with a double major in economics and geography, after which he earned his MBA at York University’s Schulich School of Business, with a specialization in international business and marketing. Jason is a seasoned investor and has built several successful businesses in the Toronto market, including a real estate investment firm. Currently, he is the Director of Technology Acquisition for Academic Technology Ventures, Inc., a technology commercialization organization based in Tampa, Florida.

“I was troubled to learn about the extremely low survival rates of pancreatic cancer. Additionally, I could not understand why such little attention and research funding has been dedicated to combat the disease. I am excited about the opportunity to work with the Pancreatic Cancer Canada Foundation to help generate the attention that pancreatic cancer needs and deserves. There are lives on the line and I believe with the right support PCCF can make a big impact” – Jason Pottinger

Samuel Pedlow
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Samuel Pedlow completed his Masters of Physical Therapy (MPT) in the University of Western Ontario. Prior to this he received a Bachelor of Physical Education (BPHED) and Bachelor of Science Honors in Biology (BScH) from Queens University. 

He is currently a member of the Canadian National Beach Volleyball team and is ranked in the top 20 in the world.  Having missed the Rio Olympics by only two points his sights are not set on representing Canada in the 2020 Olympic Games.

When Sam is not traveling the world for competition you can find him working as a Registered Physiotherapist at Athletes Care Sports Medicine. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his Fiance Rebecca and cat George. 

“Cancer has been a disease that has affected my immediate family throughout my entire life, my mother is a two-time cancer survivor. I am extremely excited to partner with Pancreatic Cancer Canada to bring awareness to a disease that needs to be brought to the attention of all Canadians. Increased awareness will bring about increase survival rates, and I hope I can contribute to this, even if just in a small way through my involvement” – Samuel Pedlow