Pierre's story
A father, an entrepreneur, and a sailor from the south of France.
Pierre Durand is a father of three boys, an entrepreneur, and an avid sailor. Originally from the south of France, he moved to the Chicagoland area in the 1980s to pursue his education. After graduating, he made Chicago home, built a business, and raised his family here.
Pierre has always enjoyed an active lifestyle, out on the water, with family and friends, sharing good meals. Although French by birth, one stereotype that never applied to him was wine, he hasn't consumed alcohol in over 30 years and has always placed a high value on healthy eating and taking care of himself.
In his element
At the helm, where he feels most himself.
In March 2025, Pierre was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer that had spread to his liver. The diagnosis came as a shock to everyone who knew him. He met it with quiet, steady determination.
After months of chemotherapy, which worked remarkably well, Pierre underwent a colon resection in February 2026. Today there is no remaining cancer in his colon. The only remaining disease is confined to his liver.
With the colon clear, the focus is now on the liver. Pierre is looking forward to getting back to the life he enjoys most, spending time with his sons, being out on the water, and making plans for the future.
