The spirit of friendship, remembrance, and determination will take center stage this April as Days of Our Lives star Stephen Nichols prepares to pay tribute to his late co-star

and dear friend Drake Hogestyn during one of the nation’s largest pancreatic cancer fundraising events. On April 25, supporters, fans, and members of the beloved soap’s cast will gather

at the iconic Santa Monica Pier for the annual PanCAN PurpleStride Los Angeles walk—an event organized by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. This year’s gathering carries special emotional weight

for the Days community as Nichols leads a tribute team named “Hogey’s Home Runners,” honoring the enduring legacy of Hogestyn, who passed away in 2024 after battling pancreatic cancer.

For Nichols and countless fans, the event represents far more than a charity walk. It is a heartfelt celebration of a man whose influence stretched far beyond the television screen.

A Tribute Born From Friendship

Nichols, beloved by viewers for his portrayal of Steve “Patch” Johnson, has stepped into the role of team captain for Hogey’s Home Runners. The team name itself carries a personal touch rooted in Hogestyn’s past.

“Hogey was Drake’s nickname from his baseball days,” Nichols shared warmly. The nickname became synonymous with the actor’s easygoing charm and competitive spirit—qualities that defined both his career and personal life.

Hogestyn’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2024 sent shockwaves throughout the soap opera world. Known for his decades-long portrayal of the heroic John Black on Days of Our Lives, the actor had become a cornerstone of the show and a beloved figure to generations of viewers.

Nichols still remembers the moment the news spread.

“Drake passed away from this horrible disease… it was a shock to all of us,” he reflected. “He was someone who truly loved life.”

That love for life—and for the people around him—has inspired Nichols to transform grief into action.

Continuing a Powerful Tradition

This year’s PurpleStride walk marks the second time the Days of Our Lives cast has participated in the Los Angeles event. The tradition began last year, when actress Martha Madison led the team as captain.

The results were extraordinary.

Together with fans and supporters, the group raised $60,000 for pancreatic cancer research and patient support—an impressive total that demonstrated the passion of the soap’s dedicated community.

Now, Nichols and the team are setting their sights even higher.

“Our goal this year is $75,000,” he revealed. “And we’re already on our way.”

If the enthusiasm surrounding the event is any indication, that goal may well be within reach.

Rain Couldn’t Stop the Love

Last year’s PurpleStride event delivered an unforgettable moment that perfectly illustrated Hogestyn’s impact on those around him.

The weather was miserable.

Rain poured down relentlessly throughout the walk, threatening to dampen both attendance and morale. But instead of staying home, fans and supporters showed up in droves, braving the storm to honor the actor.

Nichols recalls the moment vividly.

“It was pouring rain the entire time,” he said. “But people still came out. It was incredibly uplifting.”

For Hogestyn’s family, the scene was deeply emotional. One of the actor’s daughters offered a perspective that resonated with everyone present.

She described the rain not as an inconvenience—but as “tears of joy.”

The symbolism was powerful: a community united in remembrance, walking together through grief toward hope.

A Star Who Never Forgot His Fans

Among Hogestyn’s many qualities, his connection with fans remains one of his most cherished legacies.

Nichols often reflects on the way his friend approached fan events and autograph sessions.

“Drake was always the last person sitting at the table,” Nichols recalled.

While other actors might eventually step away as lines grew long, Hogestyn refused to leave until every fan had their moment.

“He wouldn’t go until every single person was taken care of,” Nichols said.

That level of dedication wasn’t a performance—it was simply who Hogestyn was.

For fans who spent decades watching John Black fight for justice, protect his family, and navigate Salem’s endless drama, those small moments of kindness meant everything.

And today, those same fans are returning the love by supporting a cause tied so closely to his memory.

A Friendship Strengthened Through Work

Nichols and Hogestyn’s friendship stretched back many years, but their bond deepened even further during the later stages of their time working together on Days of Our Lives.

The duo shared numerous scenes as their characters became central figures in the Black Patch Agency storyline—a plotline that allowed the actors to collaborate closely.

Nichols remembers those days fondly.

“We became very close,” he said. “We talked about our families, our pasts, our careers.”

Their friendship extended beyond the set. The two often met to rehearse lines and prepare for upcoming scenes, strengthening both their performances and their personal connection.

Those quiet moments of preparation now carry a special meaning for Nichols.

They represent memories he will carry with him for the rest of his life.

A Dressing Room Frozen in Time

Following Hogestyn’s passing, Nichols made a heartfelt request to the Days of Our Lives production team.

He asked them to preserve Hogestyn’s dressing room.

The request was granted.

To this day, the space remains untouched, its door still bearing Hogestyn’s name placard—a silent tribute to the actor’s lasting presence within the studio.

“I walk past it every morning,” Nichols revealed.

“And I think about him every day.”

The gesture has become a daily reminder that while Hogestyn may be gone, his spirit continues to linger in the halls where he spent decades bringing John Black to life.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

Life in Salem continues, both on screen and behind the scenes.

In recent episodes, Nichols has begun sharing scenes with Eric Martsolf, who portrays Brady Black—John’s son within the show’s intricate family tree.

The collaboration has felt strangely fitting to Nichols.

“When they told me Eric was going to be my new partner, I thought it was perfect,” he said. “Father and son.”

The connection between the actors goes beyond storyline convenience. Both share a deep respect for Hogestyn and the example he set.

“He inspired everyone,” Nichols explained. “His energy, his dedication, his work ethic.”

For Martsolf and Nichols alike, honoring that legacy means striving to uphold the same standards Hogestyn brought to every scene.

Turning Grief Into Purpose

As the PurpleStride event approaches, the Days of Our Lives community is once again rallying together.

Fans, cast members, and supporters are joining Hogey’s Home Runners not only to remember Hogestyn—but also to support the fight against pancreatic cancer, a disease that continues to claim far too many lives.

For Nichols, the mission is deeply personal. In addition to losing Hogestyn, he has also lost family members to the same devastating illness.

Participating in PurpleStride offers a way to channel that pain into something meaningful.

Each step taken along the Santa Monica Pier represents hope—hope for better treatments, earlier detection, and ultimately, a cure.

Honoring the Man Behind the Legend

To fans around the world, Hogestyn will forever be John Black: the hero, the detective, the devoted husband and father who stood at the center of Salem’s biggest stories.

But to those who knew him personally, he was something even greater.

A loyal friend.
A devoted father.
A man who believed deeply in kindness and connection.

Through the efforts of Nichols and Hogey’s Home Runners, that spirit will continue to inspire action long after the cameras stop rolling.

And as the Days of Our Lives family gathers once more beneath the California sky, one truth will be clear:

Drake Hogestyn’s legacy isn’t fading.

It’s moving forward—one step at a time.