The Days of our Lives cast gathered a year ago in April to honor their late, great castmate Drake Hogestyn (John), who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2024. Now, Stephen Nichols, who plays Steve/Patch, is going to champion an event in honor of his former co-star. Days of our Lives, Hogey's Home Runners View this post on Instagram Instagram Post"Drake and I spent nearly 40 years together – fighting villains, saving Salem, and giving Stefano DiMera more headaches than he deserved," Nichols began an Instagram post. "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," Nichols continues. "This year, I’m proud to chair Hogey’s Home Runners – our DAYS family team for PanCAN PurpleStride Los Angeles – and I’d love for you to walk with us. "We’ll be at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 7:45 a.m.," Nichols shares. "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 is completely free," Nichols says. (Click here for the link, which also appears in Nichols' Instagram bio.)"And if you’re not in LA, find a walk near you at purplestride.org – or walk your own neighborhood, take a selfie, tag us! See you, April 25. For Drake. For all of them. Let’s swing for the fences," Nichols concludes. "#HogeysHomeRunners #Days #PancreaticCancerAwareness.""So happy to see you at the helm this year @stephen_e_nichols! 💜," shares Martha Madison, who plays Belle, the daughter of John and Marlena (Deidre Hall). The Secret Origins of John BlackJohn, Marlena, and Timothy on Days of our Lives | Image: JPIHogestyn began his career on DAYS in 1986 as the enigmatic mystery figure known as "The Pawn." He took on the name of John Black and was integrated into Salem after he saved Marlena from a criminal who tried to rob Shenanigans, the eatery owned by Chris Kositchek (played by Josh Taylor, who is now Roman). Initially, it was believed that John was the presumed-dead Roman. But when Roman, then played by Wayne Northrup, turned up alive, John realized he was not him! John went through many origin stories throughout the decades on Days of our Lives. He was revealed to be John Robicheaux, the son of Timothy "Tim" Robicheaux, who was played by Dick Van Dyke (The Dick Van Dyke Show). Catch all-new episodes of Days of our Lives weekdays on Peacock, NBC's streaming service.