Days of Our Lives: Stephen Nichols Reveals Plans to Honor Drake Hogestyn’s Legacy
Both fans of Days of Our Lives and its cast and crew are still mourning the loss of Salem superstar Drake Hogestyn (John Black), who passed away in September 2024 at the age of 70. The beloved actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which his family described as “the curve ball of his life” in a statement released after his death. Now, one of his longtime co-stars, Stephen Nichols (Steve), is honoring his friend’s memory while raising money to fund critical research for pancreatic cancer and key resources for those affected by it.
Walk The Walk
On Instagram, Nichols wrote, “Drake and I spent nearly 40 years together – fighting villains, saving Salem and giving Stefano DiMera [Joseph Mascolo] more headaches than he deserved. But it was everything off camera that I’ll carry with me forever. Just being around Drake meant being around joy. Pure joy and positivity. That was him.”
The actor went on to share that he was “proud to chair Hogey’s Home Runners,” DAYS’s team for PanCAN Purple Stride Los Angeles. According to the organization’s website, PanCAN PurpleStride is “the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer,” and the money raised goes to support for pancreatic cancer patients, funds molecular testing and personalized treatment recommendations, and funds PanCan’s efforts toward early detection. “I’d love for you to walk with us,” Nichols said.
This year’s walk is slated to take place on April 25 in cities all over the country. The DAYS group will be walking in Santa Monica. “We’ll be at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 7:45 a.m.,” Nichols relayed in his post. “Drake would have been the first one there, the loudest one cheering and the last one to leave. The least we can do is show up for him – and for everyone still fighting this disease today.”
Registration for the event is free, and for those not in the Los Angeles area, Nichols encouraged fans to “find a walk near you at purplestride.org – or walk your own neighborhood, take a selfie, tag us!” His message concluded, “See you April 25. For Drake. For all of them. Let’s swing for the fences.”
The Hogey’s Home Runners team page states that the group hopes to raise $75,000 and notes, “Drake was the most energetic, optimistic and compassionate man in Salem, and we know he would want us to focus on joy, togetherness and fun as we move toward a future devoid of pancreatic cancer.”
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