Thankful People — Bob Blackwell

Bob Blackwell poses for a photo on the steps of his RV Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in McClure, Illinois. Blackwell plans to drive "coast-to-coast" to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell poses with his skeleton friend "Bones" in his kitchen Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell sits on a pool table he converted to a bed for his service dog, Gommorah, while watching football Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell pours a cup of coffee Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. Blackwell constantly drinks coffee, and said the warmth of coffee helps keep his stomach from cramping. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell drinks a cup of coffee during an interview Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell gives a tour of an RV Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois, which he is renovating to travel "coast to coast" to spread awareness of pancreatic cancer. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell shows an LED replacement bulb while giving a tour of an RV Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois, which he is renovating to travel "coast to coast" to spread awareness of pancreatic cancer. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell poses for a photo Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, inside his RV which he plans to drive "coast-to-coast" to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell sits with his service dog, Gommorah, during an interview Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell drinks a coffee during an interview Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell during an interview Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell is brought to his knees by pancreatic pains as he is overcome with a "whipple attack" Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell returns to his feet after a "whipple attack" Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell sits in his garage to recover from a "whipple attack" Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell sits in his garage to recover from a "whipple attack" Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell sits in his garage to recover from a "whipple attack" Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell pets his service dog, Gommorah, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, outside his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell shows his RV during an interview Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

A sign with the words "whipple warrior" sits inside te windshield of Bob Blackwell's RV on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell 's Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell hangs a jacket from a previous cancer awareness walk inside his RV on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell hangs a jacket from a previous cancer awareness walk inside his RV on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell hangs a jacket from a previous cancer awareness walk inside his RV on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, at his home in McClure, Illinois. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell poses for a photo on the steps of his RV Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in McClure, Illinois. Blackwell plans to drive "coast-to-coast" to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell poses for a photo on the steps of his RV Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in McClure, Illinois. Blackwell plans to drive "coast-to-coast" to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bob Blackwell poses for a photo on the steps of his RV Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in McClure, Illinois. Blackwell plans to drive "coast-to-coast" to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)