My mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July of 2010. She had not been feeling well for a few weeks. Finally, my father noticed that she was jaundiced. He called his doctor, who then asked my mom a few questions. After that telephone conversation my dad rushed her to the ER, where we would get the diagnosis that changed our lives forever.

I had only known one other person who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Quickly and painfully he also lost his battle with this horrible disease. I have to admit I never thought of or really heard about this disease before then. Little did I know it would creep into my life again, affecting me forever.

The irony in all of this is that my mother was a nurse. She spent ten years as an oncology nurse at the same hospital where her Whipple procedure was eventually performed. She survived the surgery, two weeks in the hospital, and one round of chemo. We only got five months. The cancer spread to her liver. My mom, my hero, died on November 27, 2010 at just 64 years old.

Anyone who reads this knows how devastating this disease is. I watched her suffer, yet she never let on how much pain she was in. Was that because she was a nurse, had seen people die of cancer and knew what was coming? Did she want to spare us more grief and pain than we already had? Knowing her, the answer is "yes" to all of the above. I would ask her every day, "How are you feeling today mom?" She always replied "so-so". I could tell she was putting on a brave face. She never complained; never let it get the best of her. She refused our help, whether it was bathing, getting up and down stairs, or urging her to take the pain meds she so desperately needed.

My friend Kelly found the Hirshberg Foundation online and directed me to the website. It has been a God send. In lieu of flowers, we directed that donations be sent to the Hirshberg Foundation and to date we have raised $870.00. In doing so, it was my hope that more people would become aware of pancreatic cancer. I hope and pray that someone else can be spared the pain and devastation this disease inflicts on families and patients alike.

In early 2008, my mother, Eleanor, was diagnosed with this awful disease. This past summer I competed in a Half Ironman in her honor to raise awareness and money for the fight against pancreatic cancer. Fortunately, my mother's cancer was caught early and was operable with the Whipple Procedure. With my fund, I wanted my friends and family to take part in my journey to compete in the Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island. The hundreds of hours I trained and the race itself, which was a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run, was NOTHING compared to the journey my mother, Eleanor, and others are undergoing. Last October, I completed a full Ironman in Florida and came in 9th in my age group. To date, my fund has raised more than $15,000 for the Hirshberg Foundation, in honor of my mom.

Editors Note: Last year we were contacted by Hillary Cavan, a young woman from Chicago, who was training to run in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, and wanted to raise money for the Hirshberg Foundation in conjunction with her training. After the marathon, we asked her to answer some questions about her experience.

What motivated you to train for the Chicago Marathon?
I ran the Marathon for my Father who passed away from Pancreatic Cancer. Although, I never had the opportunity to meet my father I have always felt as though he is with me every step I take. He was diagnosed with this cancer when mother was eight months pregnant with me. I was born on the day of his funeral, three days after he had passed away.

Why did you choose to raise funds for the Hirshberg Foundation?
When I committed myself to this marathon there was not a charity that was closer to my heart. Having the opportunity to raise money throughout my training & running the marathon with extra support and pride is something I will never forget. It had been 24 years but I never want my family to forget what an amazing man he was and how important it is to keep cancer research in the minds of everyone.

What were your results?
I raised just over $5,000 with the help of my loving friends, family & co-workers and I completed the marathon in 4 hours, 15 minutes!

How was the overall experience for you?
It was an incredible experience that I will never forget. My father was an amazing man and being able to raise this money in his honor was something I will hold so close to my heart. I think it helped remind everyone of how unforgettable he is and brought back amazing memories for all.

What do you think your dad would have thought about you running a marathon?
I know my Dad was with me every step of the way. My long training runs, my solo runs during the week and most importantly all 26.2 miles! It was a very cold & grey day in Chicago and at mile 23 the sun just peaked out a bit; I know that his spirit was shining down on me.

Will you ever run 26.2 miles again?
I would love to run another Marathon in the near future & will definitely look forward to raising money for the Hirshberg Foundation!

My Dad is "whipping the whipple". Yes, it is true.

An avid swimmer and rower in the San Francisco Bay area for most of his life, Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early September, 2009. He had a pretty regular schedule of doctor appointments related to heart trouble and those frequent visits meant his overall health was monitored quite closely. His early diagnosis would prove to be key. They suggested the Whipple surgery and early on my Dad decided he was going to "whip the whipple". He is a fighter and has plenty to live for. A little more than two weeks after being diagnosed he had the surgery.

When my Dad was in his late 40s, he started swimming and rowing in the San Francisco Bay area. He is a long time member of the South End Rowing Club at Aquatic Park and they sponsor an Alcatraz swim every year. As a young boy I was amazed and impressed watching him finish that Alcatraz swim, having grown up with the understanding that it wasn't possible to swim from Alcatraz to the shore. Sharks, cold water, tides, all that! He was not fast, but he did finish. And he did NOT wear a wetsuit.

After I learned my Dad had pancreatic cancer I started looking into the disease. I was horrified to learn how rare it is for someone to live years past a diagnosis. I found the Hirshberg Foundation quite by chance. I was just looking for a 10k to keep in general shape and came across the LA Cancer Challenge. When I learned it was an event focused on raising money for Pancreatic Cancer Research I had a "lightbulb" moment. Wow, I could run AND raise money for this important cause which suddenly was quite important to me personally.

I was very impressed with the Hirshberg Foundation. Any time I had a question, someone would contact me directly. This is a very accessible and warm organization. The event was amazing, inspiring and very well organized. When I posted a picture of my run on Facebook, Agi herself contacted me with words of encouragement and I knew then that I had found a cause that I could take pride in and raise money for.

A lifetime goal! I signed up for the Alcatraz Invitational Swim taking place on September 17th, 2011.

I soon realized it was a perfect opportunity to raise money for the Hirshberg Foundation.

When I talked to my Dad about the swim, his first question was, "Are you using a wetsuit"? I had to break the news to him that I was indeed going to be suited up, knowing that some light-hearted teasing would follow (and you can be sure it has!), but he was excited that I was planning on doing the swim. In fact, he plans on being in a pilot boat, helping support me during the actual swim!

Yes, my Dad is "whipping the whipple" and just received another all-clear report. He is still cancer-free more than one year after his surgery and is starting to put on some weight. I am so thankful to have more time with this man, my father, who has meant so much to me through the years. I am so thankful to be able to take on this swim and raise money for pancreatic cancer research at the same time. I am so thankful that he will be around to watch me take on this challenge and that his continued success can be an inspiration to others fighting this horrible disease. It can be beat! With your help and the help of the Hirshberg Foundation, I am not just hoping…I am helping.
Never give up…You can Hope, or you can Help…Help Us Whip The Whipple!!!

This past Fall, Ferguson Enterprises hosted the 2nd Annual Scottyfest, a golf tournament honoring the memory of their former employee Scott Shively, who lost his life to Pancreatic Cancer in 2005. Held at the Sunol Valley Golf and Country Club in Northern California, more than 100 golfers participated in the event which raised $10,000 for the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

Nick Colletti, Ferguson's General Manager and one of Scott's good friends has been actively involved in planning Scottyfest along with many other Ferguson associates. Originally, however, Scottyfest was not intended to be an "event", according to Colletti.

"When Scott was diagnosed and realized that he did not have much time," recalls Colletti, "we talked about some things that he might want to do with friends and family. Scott wanted nothing more than to get a bunch of his buddies and co-workers together for a day of golf." So, they gathered up some friends and family, booked some tee times and were ready to enjoy a round with Scott. Unfortunately Scott lost his battle with the disease a mere four days before our outing." With the blessing of Scott's family, including his wife Bernice and daughters Cambria and Erin, they proceeded with their plans. That "day of golf" became the first Scottyfest. "We just had our 2nd Annual tourney last fall and we plan on making Scottyfest an annual event," stated Nick.
Donations from many of Ferguson's representatives and manufacturers helped cover the costs of the tournament. Following the shotgun start, players were confronted with many on-course contests including Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive. At the end of their round, players were treated to a 19th Hole Reception that included dinner, a raffle, and an awards presentation in the clubhouse. Colletti summed the day up by saying "I was very proud of the turn out, as well as the great day that everyone had!"

Ferguson, along with Scott's family and many of his friends, are motivated to keep the memory and spirit of Scott alive by raising money and awareness each year at Scottyfest and supporting the mission of the Hirshberg Foundation with their support and generosity. "Scott was a giant of a man, not only in size, but in heart. He was one of the strongest individuals that I have known," said Colletti.

The Scottyfest committee, made up of Ferguson associates and members of Scott's family, has already started working on this year's tournament, with a goal of making the event better than ever, while celebrating the life of their friend and co-worker. When asked what Scott would have thought about the event, Colletti remarked, "Scott would have thought this event was pretty great, but he would have laughed and asked what all the fuss was about!"

I lost both of my parents to pancreatic cancer! My mom, Merrilee Dal Bon, passed away on November 10, 2000 and my dad, Jim Dal Bon, on May 6, 2008. I have felt a real need to do something in their memory because I alone cannot cure cancer. Therefore, I was thinking that giving money for research to cure pancreatic cancer would be a good cause. I found the Hirshberg Foundation and was pleased that their mission to fund research and find an early detection method, and ultimately, a cure was the same as mine! Seeing both of my parents suffer through their battle with the cancer was tremendously difficult. Among the emotions I still feel is anger. I am angry this was happening to them. I am angry that my two sons, Owen, 9, and Matthew, 7, will not get to know their grandparents better. What I am most angry about is the cancer.

I thought, "What can I do now?" Pancreatic cancer did not waste any time debilitating my parents. I came up with the idea of organizing the Dal Bon Memorial Golf Tournament as a way to pay tribute to my parents and to help battle pancreatic cancer. Last year's first annual golf tournament kicked off at Alta Sierra Country Club in Grass Valley, CA. Sixty golfers teed off that day and the evening concluded with a donation of over $6,000 to the Hirshberg Foundation.

The Dal Bon Memorial Golf Tournament's main goal is to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research. In recent years my dad had started to really enjoy golf. We had a lot of great times together on the golf course. I feel I owe it to my parents to fight against the disease that took their lives, but have fun as well.

The Second Annual Dal Bon Memorial Golf Tournament will take place on July 24, 2010 in Grass Valley, CA. Golfers can golf. Volunteers can contribute their time. Sponsors can donate to a very good cause. All who give will be doing a great service to me, my family and all those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Knowing that great people will give with the kindness of their hearts is all we can ask for.

Dale Burton was a cherished uncle to 10 nieces. When we were young, he would take us on "Alligator Walks" around his Winston-Salem, North Carolina neighborhood to teach us about nature and animals, two of his passions.

My Uncle Dale lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in June, 2010. While searching for a way to honor this phenomenal man, I came across the Hirshberg Foundation website and immediately knew that this Foundation would become a special cause for our family.

On November 6, 2010, the day after Dale's 59th birthday, more than 30 dear friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and dogs gathered for the inaugural Dale H. Burton Alligator Walk, a 5K loop beginning at his home. Participants proudly wore purple and carried balloons and smiles as we walked (and ran) through the neighborhood where Dale grew up.

Through generous sponsorships, we reached our $3,000 goal and have already made plans to continue the event annually on Dale's birthday weekend. In this way, we look forward to honoring his loving spirit, while doing our part to keep the hope alive so that other families won't have to suffer such an enormous loss.

For more information about upcoming Alligator Walks, visit http://www.pancreatic.org/memorial/alligatorwalk.

Emily Foster and her grandmother Betty Geraci, who she affectionately called "Meme", shared a passion for art. When Emily was a young girl, her mother and grandmother took her to local museums and galleries where they marveled at various splendid works from numerous talented artists.

In 2004, Emily's family received the shattering news that Geraci had been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Like many patients, the doctors predicted Geraci had between three and six months to live. In 2006, after long outliving the doctors' prediction, Meme was slowly beginning to lose her battle with the disease. Although her grandmother was still alive and fighting, Emily was feeling helpless. "My grandmother was getting sicker and I just wanted to do something." So rather than just hope, she decided to try and help! Emily turned to art, a passion she shared with her Meme, and began organizing several local artists for a benefit.

Just as Emily began implementing her idea for an art show, her grandmother succumbed to the disease. Emily devoted the next six months to planning event, which she named, "Art Can Cure". She created a website, solicited sponsors and secured local artists to participate and donate their art. On the evening of December 2nd, 2006 Art Can Cure was held in Savannah's Orleans Hall. Through the sale of tickets and art, the event raised more than $5,000 for the Hirshberg Foundation.

When asked why she chose the Foundation as the event's beneficiary, Emily replied, "I found the Hirshberg Foundation after Googling "pancreatic cancer". I read Agi's story and cried as I read it. The spirit in which The Hirshberg Foundation was created moved me and I knew then where I wanted to help."

"I think she would have had a ball!" Emily said excitedly when asked what her grandmother would have thought of the event. "She never got to see Art Can Cure come together but I believe she was there in spirit. As the local artwork hung and music played and the people chatted, I could almost envision my Meme going from painting to painting, asking questions and being the life of the party," Emily continued.

Despite her personal loss and all the effort Emily put into the planning the event, she would like to host one again. "I worked really hard for six months and when the building was set up and guests were there, I was happier than I had ever been. I honestly felt like doing a happy dance and saying 'I did it!'!" She added, "I would like to follow in Agi's footsteps and build a relationship with local hospitals and cancer programs while always having a bond with The Hirshberg Foundation."

Attending Tift College, in Forsyth, Georgia, I first learned of and admired a former graduate of this institution known only to me as Tribble. Her reputation for fun and adventure was not only known to those who attended college with her, but was also passed on to all rookie freshmen who entered Tift College halls. It was through a mutual friend and former graduate of Tift that I learned that Tribble was actually a last name and that her first name was Nancy. Over the years, Tribble became a fixture in my life and in the lives of those with whom she developed friendships not only through college, but through her work as well. Tribble entered the teaching profession, a career path taken by many who graduated from Tift College, and was ever the teacher. In any scenario, Tribble created 'teachable moments' about science, cooking, and travel. Each lesson was given with gusto and quite often, much humor.

When Tribble was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she began researching the symptoms, cause and treatment. She was tireless in her research for facilities with expertise in the area of pancreatic cancer. She survived over a decade with a malignant cancer that is normally characterized by a much shorter survival period. Tribble created many humorous moments with each procedure and surgery performed to remove or reduce metastasized cancer cells. One such moment was during a radiofrequency ablation of damaged liver cells when friends were urged to eat liver on her behalf.

I truly believe her passion and enthusiasm for life, her continued optimism for a cure, as well as her love of family and friends, extended her life beyond the amount of time normally 'given' to such patients. She exemplified love of life, as characterized by Sir Anton, Lover of Life, in the traditional Round Table Ceremony performed annually at Tift College. The qualities she exhibited during her college years followed her throughout her life.

Though knighted during her senior year at Tift, she carried the essence of Sir Anton with her through every battle and to the very end.

Tribble will remain in the hearts of all those she touched – her friends, her students and her family.

The Thrill in D-Ville Annual Labor Day Road Race originated in the fall of 2009 with a small group of friends and family in Dawsonville, GA. They raised $700.00. The Second Annual event was bigger and better than the first, bringing in over $1500.00! We are looking forward to our Third Annual Thrill in D-Ville Labor Day Road Race on September 3, 2011 in an effort to raise money for the Hirshberg Foundation in the name of Nancy Faye Tribble.

I started volunteering for the Hirshberg Foundation because Agi asked me to help with the first run event back in 1999 – The adidas Three Stripe Challenge. I showed up early and was assigned to help with registration. Agi came by, took my hand, led me to the tee shirt and pledge prize booth and said "We need you to help here – make it work!" And so I did. After all these years, I am still on the LACC Planning Committee. Running the T-Shirt & Pledge Prize Booth is still my gig, and is affectionately referred to as Martin's Booth.

The best part about being on the planning committee is getting there the morning of the run (at 5:00 a.m.!) and knowing that the event is about to start after all of the planning, meetings and hard work. The energy builds and builds – it is always a great day. Personally exciting for me this past year was the new and improved Gift Bag/Tee Shirt/Pledge Prize/Info Booth. It is always a challenge to successfully help and service all of the wonderful runners and walkers and this was the first big re-vamp in over ten years. We received great feedback on the new set-up and location and all went well. I am already thinking and planning for the 2011 LACC.

In 2008, the year I was turning 49 years old, I joined the Hirshberg Training Team and completed my first 13.1 mile race, The Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville, TN. It was a challenging goal to set for myself, but I did it and got great donations too. I am committed to volunteer for the Hirshberg Foundation as long as they need me. I am in it until there is a cure for Pancreatic Cancer. Agi is committed to find the cure and so am I.

"The best part of volunteering for the Hirshberg Foundation is that I am helping with a great foundation that is doing great things. I know that my time and efforts help the Foundation with their mission to find a cure for Pancreatic Cancer."

My husband, Don and I had just had the best moment of our lives…the birth of our son. Everything was going wonderfully, and my mom was elated that she finally had a grandchild. The look on her face when she held him and sense of pride when she spoke about him made me so happy and grateful that I had such great parents.

A few months later our lives were changed completely. My mom had a rash on her arms and legs that just wouldn't go away. We thought that it was an allergic reaction to laundry detergent or lotion. The doctor recommended cortisone cream. A few weeks later, my mom was having heartburn and lack of appetite. She knew someone in their early 40's that had the same mild symptoms and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, so she made another appointment. When she mentioned her symptoms to the doctor his reaction was "That is the worst case scenario but I will send you home with some Nexium and we can follow up with an ultrasound to ease your concern."

A few days later, we got the diagnosis…stage 4 pancreatic cancer. As I struggled with her diagnosis, I was saddened by the thought of my son not knowing his Mommom. I was devastated at the idea of my dad losing his wife of 38 years. My mom was my best friend; I could not imagine not being able to talk to her every day. I spent so many hours on the internet trying to absorb every piece of information on every procedure and every treatment option. I went to every doctor appointment and was disappointed by the lack of decisive action. I was so saddened by her oncologist's passive attitude and lack of urgency. The memo line of every follow up email was MY MOM, ROSANNE WAYMAN, in hopes that every doctor and nurse who treated her felt like she was their mother. Six short weeks later, she passed away. My mom was only 56.

I felt helpless in those six short weeks. After her passing, I knew that I immediately wanted to help raise awareness for early diagnosis and help fund the research for this awful disease. I wanted to honor my mom's courageous battle by trying to help others.

I own a salon and spa, so my first thought was to just write a check to the Hirshberg Foundation. As I was mentioning this to my staff, they suggested that they donate their time and plan an event in an effort to make a bigger impact and raise more money as well as awareness. We began to plan the event and it seemed that this became more therapeutic for me each day with every detail we planned out. The event was haircuts and blow outs for clients as well as a raffle, food and entertainment. My staff was booked through the day. Businesses offered to donate large gift baskets and gift certificates for a raffle. Clients who could not make it in for our event asked if they could make a donation anyway. I was blown away by all this generosity. I felt such an outpouring of love and support from my staff, family, clients and friends while planning this event. We managed to raise over $4,000 during our four-hour event, and hopefully next year's will be bigger and better! I miss my mom, but this event has helped me feel like I am going to be able to help others going through the same situation and hopefully bring us closer to finding the cure. To find out more about our February 2012 event, contact holly@salon828.com.

My grandfather was an aviation enthusiast, and in the summer of 1998, I inherited his passion. Standing outside his hold house in London, I saw the heavy jets on approach to Heathrow, and, combined with many recent flights, I realized that I, too, loved aviation. I finally had an interest that allowed me to get close to my grandfather, but I was only given a year and a half before he was taken from me, with so much knowledge and so many stories left unshared.

It started in 10th grade when I did a biology research project on pancreatic cancer. Three years after my grandfather succumbed to his pancreatic cancer following a valiant battle, I finally understood what had taken him, and I wanted to do what I could to keep others from experiencing the pain and loss I felt. But, in 10th grade, there wasn't much that I could do. At least, not at first glance.
An avid coin collector, I turned to an online message board where I regularly post, and asked if anyone would be willing to donate coins for me to auction, with all proceeds benefiting the Hirshberg Foundation. To my amazement, donations poured in, and by the time I had finished auctioning off every piece, $1700 had been raised. A few months later, I tried my luck at another auction, and with even more success than my first auction, decided to keep running them whenever possible.

My grandfather left this world failing to complete two things. First, he never had the opportunity to go to college, so he was never able to become an aeronautical engineer. Secondly, he was unable to defeat pancreatic cancer. Soon after arriving at MIT, I realized that I had the power to finish those two tasks for him. During MIT's month-long January break my freshman year, I held another auction, which raised $4000. Then, this past summer, I spent my summer in Los Angeles with Agi, working at the Hirshberg labs at UCLA and watching planes at LAX in my spare time. I left Los Angeles more passionate than ever about helping the foundation.

When I returned to class this past fall as a sophomore, I began the rigorous aeronautical engineering curriculum, on track to complete one of my grandfather's unfinished tasks. To help complete the other, I held another January auction for the Foundation.

Since 10th grade, six auctions have raised over $28,000, $20,000 of which has gone to the Hirshberg Foundation. While it's true that Agi has told me I'm crazy (in the best possible way) for doing what I've done, I'd like to think that I've just done my part to remember a great man. So long as you remember, no one is truly gone.

Editors Note: Last year we were approached by Jinny Koffler, a young woman who wanted to honor her mother-in-law and raise money for the Hirshberg Foundation. She, along with family and friends, organized the Glenda Jane Koffler Memorial Golf Tournament, held at Sierra Lakes Golf Course in Fontana. They had 43 participants play golf and afterwards 105 people attended a banquet held at Villa Tepeyac Restaurant in West Covina. After the event, we asked her some questions about her experience.

What motivated you to host this event?
Our motivation was Glenda Jane Koffler. She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandma, and friend. She passed away on November 30, 2005. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and lost her battle within one month. She was a larger than life woman who loved her kids and grandkids more than anything. I was lucky to have the most amazing woman as my mother-in-law. We chose a golf tournament because we wanted to get together once a year to have fun and remember a great woman. We also wanted to raise money for pancreatic cancer research.

Why did you choose to have the proceeds go to the Hirshberg Foundation?
We chose the Hirshberg Foundation because of the amazing work they support in finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. Also, the personal story of Agi Hirshberg hit close to home. She lost her husband to early in life, just as my father-in-law had lost my mother-in- law. Agi's husband, Ron Hirshberg, seemed like someone who enjoyed life to the fullest. That was my mother-in-law.

What were your results?
We raised $5000 through the golf tournament, banquet, and raffle tickets. We also received money from people who were not able to come to the tournament or banquet but wanted to donate in Glenda's memory. We were really surprised at the amount of money we raised. We had set our goal for $2000, so you can only imagine how excited we were when we realized we more than doubled that amount.

How was the overall experience for you as the event host?
My friend Chris Zessau and I worked together to make this tournament and banquet happen. Without Chris and many others, it would not have been possible.

What do you think Glenda would have thought about your event?
Oh boy, Glenda would have absolutely loved it! Her greatest joy was watching people she loved around her having a great time. She was happy when people were enjoying themselves, drinking some beer and eating lots of good food. She would have been so happy.

Will there be a 2nd Annual Event?
We are planning to make this tournament and banquet an annual event. We are already in the works to plan the 2008 Glenda Jane Koffler Memorial Golf Tournament. We hope to double what we made last year!

Is there anything else you want to add?
There is one more thing I would like to tell everyone. Just one month after my mother-in-law passed away, I became pregnant. I struggled with secondary infertility for years so we were very surprised. We had a beautiful little girl and her name is Madison Glenda Jane Koffler, named after her nana. And wouldn't you know it...she looks just like her!

My father, Larry Meister, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March of 2005 and passed away just three short months later. My father was a great man who stood out within the community and always found a way to be involved. I was raised with the notion that it is important to make a difference in the world no matter how big or small. It was with great joy that I could do whatever I could to help spread awareness, raise money and fight pancreatic cancer.

In memory of my father, I began an online search for a Foundation that I could join in the fight with and help to support. I decided on the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research for their cutting edge research being conducted at UCLA and around the US and because of their heartfelt commitment that money raised would go directly to finding a cure. On June 26, 2009 I held the First Annual Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament, benefiting the Hirshberg Foundation, in memory of my father Larry. This spectacular night was filled with Texas Hold'em Poker, food, a great raffle and
terrific prize packages for the over 100 people who participated. The event raised over $10,000 for the Foundation. It was such a successful night that we held our Second Annual Texas Hold'em event on March 12, 2010. We are also looking forward to coming up to LA for our fourth LA Cancer Challenge in October.

My wife and I have felt a warm connection to the Hirshberg Foundation. We ask that everyone please consider making a donation to the Foundation in memory of your loved one this year.

On October 3, 2009, my senior year of college, I was able to start a fundraiser in honor of my father called Kick Pancreatic Cancer (K.P.C.). The event was a soccer match held at Waynesburg University. My soccer team played in purple and raised money for the Hirshberg Foundation. The first year we raised over $12,000. Since then Waynesburg University Soccer Team has made K.P.C. an annual event and continues to raise money and awareness for pancreatic cancer.

I started K.P.C. as a way to deal with the pancreatic cancer diagnosis of my Dad in August, 2009. I have since graduated and needed another way to express my concern and raise awareness, so three close friends (Kenny Cline, Kristin Johnson, and Annie Campbell) and I created Purple Palooza. It was to be a formal night of dinner, dancing, games, and silent auctions. This was going to swing our fundraising in a different direction but was sure to catch the eye of our local community.

My dad, Ken Moore, was a large figure in many different organizations in my local community and in a variety of businesses. Once the news of his condition was heard and felt, the support was behind us. We met with our local hospital, local paper, radio station, and several businesses where we began our advertising and our invitation list. The donations of items for our auction and our game prizes came in double what we were expecting and they came from all sorts of donors.

Without hesitation our event was on its way to being a hit, but then my family situation began to cause our planning and preparation process to be put on hold. My dad had gone in for a normal procedure but complications arose in the healing process causing him to stay hospitalized. This situation was confusing and heart breaking and before we could get him home, he passed away on November 6, 2010, just seven days before Palooza. I had a great group of friends and co-coordinators who took the reins for me and continued to plan for the couple of days I took to be with family.

Questions of whether we should cancel or reschedule came about but my Dad was someone who made things happen no matter what and I couldn't cancel something he and I started and worked very hard at creating. With that mind-set, we rushed like crazy to make up for some of the time lost. The morning of November 13th came and it was time for us to set up our hall for the event. We had so much to do - scaffolding, tulle, balloons, center pieces, coffee mugs, decorations, auction items and more - but with the help of more friends and family, we were able to set up for our start time of 5:00pm.
As the nerves and tension were at their highest, the doors opened, people came in and the check-in table became flooded. The turnout was greater than expected and it was one of my proudest moments. Once everyone was seated and the silent auction and dinner were underway, I looked to my family. I knew that my dad was smiling and that we all had made him proud. We had three games running throughout the evening, as well as a mystery box raffle and a 50/50 raffle. Our photographer for the evening, who donated her time, took outstanding photos so we were able to document our night in a scrapbook and create a slideshow to capture our smiles and outstanding moments.

Prizes were won and memories were made. All in all it was a great night in charity and fellowship. That evening we raised over $8,000 and through additional donations reached a grand total of $20,000. The co-coordinators of the event all shared a personal relationship with my dad, who was our boss at Fort Steuben Scout Reservation, our mentor, close friend, and role model. We were all touched by the turn-out, shocked by the amount raised, and are excited to report that we will be holding another Purple Palooza on November 19, 2011 at the St. Florian Hall in Wintersville, Ohio.

I am a senior at Waynesburg University and a member of the women's soccer team. Last August, just as I was getting ready to return to school and was looking forward to my final soccer season, I learned that my father, Ken Moore, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

As I struggled with his diagnosis, and tried to balance family, school and soccer, I decided it was time to do something. I presented the idea of having a fundraiser to my teammates and coaches, who were supportive and excited to help. At first I wasn't sure how I was going to raise money, but after brainstorming we decided on the idea of holding the event during a Saturday home match in which both the boy's and girl's soccer teams were playing.

We chose the date of October 3, and set a goal of raising $2,000. My teammates sprang into action to gain the support of the community and Waynesburg University. Many companies and parents donated baskets full of prizes for a raffle. Other donations included start-up money, decorations, printed banners, and t-shirts that were sold before and after the match. All the proceeds from the concession stand sales were also donated to us. I was startled to see the number of people who felt moved enough to help us. And, I was completely awestruck with the total amount of money we were raising.

With help from Waynesburg University and the families of players, the event went off without a hitch. The morning of the event I was extremely nervous and anxious to see what kind of turn out we would have. The event itself was a surreal experience that I never expected. I was completely overwhelmed with the amount of support and love that I felt. When my dad walked in to the stadium, I couldn't help but feel totally overwhelmed with emotion. My dad is a role model for me, and a rock for my family. To see how proud he was in his black and purple t-shirt for the game was absolutely amazing.

Geared up in purple uniforms, my team was unmistakably inspired and ready to play that day. After planning this event for just a mere month, we ended up raising over $10,000 for the Hirshberg Foundation. We beat our goal five times over! Even though I will be graduating, plans for next year's event are already under way. My dad is a very strong individual and fighter, and we both plan on attending next year's game to support the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

You thought that you had a busy fall. While most people were getting ready for the holidays, Jose's Angels were working tirelessly on not one, but two fundraising events to support the Hirshberg Foundation.

Jose's Angels are the friends and family of Jose Huerta, who passed away from pancreatic cancer last June. Championed by Jose's sister-in-law, Christine Huerta, and Jose's best friend, George Piantka, the group raised more than $12,000 for the Hirshberg Foundation in 2007 by organizing both a Golf Tournament and creating a team at the LA Cancer Challenge.

Held on November 1, 2007 at Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills, CA, the 2nd Annual Jose's Angels Golf Tournament was an enormous success. The 72 golfers and 125 banquet attendees raised $5,200 for the Foundation and an additional $2,500 for the college savings plans for Jose's two young children, Emily and Joseph. According to Piantka, the most memorable part of the tournament was not the money raised. "More importantly, we honored Jose and embraced Gina (Jose's widow), Emily, and Joseph. The kindness of our supporters and the respect and love for Jose was felt, especially by his family and friends."

The inaugural tournament was held November 2, 2006 as a fund raiser for Jose and his family to help with medical costs, loss of income, and establishing college savings accounts. Reflecting back, Piantka said, "Jose loved the tournament in 2006. His energy was apparent, especially since his health (diagnosed June 2006) had improved by November 2006. His gratitude to each and everyone in attendance was expressed in his address at the tournament banquet…..where he vowed to attend in 2007. I am sure he is proud that we pressed forward with the tournament after his passing in June 2007 and that the tournament will continue in subsequent years to benefit pancreatic research and his children."

The golf tournament was just the start of Jose's Angels busy fall. Christine Huerta organized the Jose's Angels Team for the Hirshberg Foundation's 10th Annual L.A. Cancer Challenge 5K/10K Run/Walk. Donning shirts, ribbons and keepsakes made by Chris in memory of Jose, the team members held a banner as they walked along the course at the VA grounds. Through her organization and the generous support from numerous donors who knew Jose and his family, $6,915 was donated to the Hirshberg Foundation through the LA Cancer Challenge website in honor of Jose.

Piantka added, "I am proud of our association with the Hirshberg Foundation and especially proud, in Jose's honor, of our collective efforts in supporting research and improvements in quality of life in the battle against this seemingly insurmountable disease. As the Hirshberg Foundation's motto goes, 'You Can Hope or You Can Help™;' and we are both hoping and helping. What it comes down to, is, as I have realized, you are never more alive than when you are helping."
Jose's Angels does not plan on slowing down their fundraising efforts anytime soon. They again will have a team at the LA Cancer Challenge, on Sunday, October 26, 2008. And this year, the Jose's Angels Golf Tournament will be held the following day, on Monday, October 27, 2008.

In November of 2010, the 1st Annual FORE a Cure 50/50 Raffle was held in memory of Dr. Steven Fore. A 50/50 raffle is simply a raffle where we sell tickets, and half of the money collected goes to the Foundation while the other half is given to the winner (with the request to donate the entire amount back to the Foundation). We sold 500 tickets and raised $1,250 for the Hirshberg Foundation.

In April of 2009, my stepfather, Dr. Steven Fore was given the devastating diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer. Steven was a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a physician who gave of himself to so many and never wanted anything in return. His life, both professionally and personally, was devoted to good health. The diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer was shocking because the risk factors associated with this cancer did not apply to Steven. Within days of his diagnosis, he had the Whipple procedure, followed by chemo and radiation but ultimately lost his battle on August 16, 2009.

In spite of his seemingly good health, he lived only four months after his diagnosis. Although we are grateful for those months, he suffered terribly during the various treatments. Losing a loved one is difficult, but watching a vibrant, healthy person become ravaged by cancer is indescribable. Our goal is to raise awareness for this silent but deadly disease and continue raising money for research. Steven strived to educate his patients, family, and friends on health issues. We know he would want others educated about Pancreatic Cancer and spared the typical progression of this disease. Our hope is that researchers are provided the funding so that early detection, more successful treatments, and ultimately, prevention, will replace the current grim statistics for individuals diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. If you, or someone you love, has been affected by this disease educate, advocate, and donate today!

After many months of misdiagnosis, my mother, Rebecca Price, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January of 2008. Her diagnosis came at a time when our family was looking forward to a couple of exciting changes. I was newly engaged and my brother and his wife were expecting their first child. Because aggressive treatment needed to start and my husband, who is in the military, was deploying in just a few weeks, it was not possible for us to have a traditional wedding that my mom would have liked for me to have. My mother lost her battle eleven weeks later. It was a harsh reality--my mom would not be at my wedding or at the birth of her first grandson.

After many conversations with the oncologist, it was alarming to hear that there were not many options for pancreatic cancer patients. It was during those conversations that I knew more medical advances were needed in order to give pancreatic cancer patients a chance to survive. Over the next few months, my fiancé and I began to plan our wedding. We knew that, in lieu of wedding favors, we wanted to donate to a foundation that supported pancreatic cancer research. After researching many organizations, we came across the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. I was encouraged by the Hirshberg Foundation, because their main focus is to raise funds to support pancreatic cancer research in hopes that there will one day be a cure. After sending in our contribution, we received purple organza satchels and cards explaining that a donation was made in lieu of wedding favors and in memory of my mother.

After participating in the Hirshberg Foundation's Wedding and Celebrations Program, I began to receive updates on medical research that the Foundation was supporting and opportunities to participate in other events they sponsored. One of these emails contained information regarding the Hirshberg Training Team and their participation as an official charity at the Los Angeles Marathon. I immediately wanted to join the team. This was another opportunity for me to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research and bring awareness to such a devastating disease. I look forward to completing my first marathon in memory of my mother in March.

Though my mother was not able to attend my wedding in person or see me complete my first marathon, her spirit and love continues to be with me everyday. In honor of her courageous battle, I will continue to support the Hirshberg Foundation's efforts to raise awareness and money for pancreatic cancer research.

In March of 1995 my father-in-law, Doyle Williams, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I remember my own father, Cotton Raper, saying "You and Denise (my wife) better spend all the time you can with him because old Doyle won't be around long". Doyle was only 51 years old. Throughout his illness I tried to comfort Doyle and my wife as best I could. Dad kept saying "poor old Doyle....just no hope". A hospice bed was soon staged in the living room and that is where Doyle drew his last breath on March 20, 1995.

Ironically, just 12 years later Cotton began losing a severe amount of weight. At first he was some what pleased because he had always been over-weight, but he soon discovered that this weight loss was a tell tale sign of something much worse. We didn't give it a lot of thought at first because Cotton was a hospital veteran. He was constantly under the care of specialist due to a rare disease called Wagner's that disabled him in 1976. It wasn't strange to us to hear that he was sick or going to have a battery of tests performed on any given day. Cotton had already survived two open heart surgeries in his lifetime and we felt convinced that he would fight through whatever this was.

I remember my cell-phone ringing as I got into my car a week later. It was my mom and she said "Son, I made your Daddy go to the Emergency Room. They ran some x-rays and found a mass on his pancreas. They're not giving him any hope". I just couldn't believe it!! I heard those same words twelve years ago.

I noticed that Dad's eyes were yellow by the time I arrived. Where had I seen that before? You want to believe that if you see a train bearing down on you that you can get off the tracks after the horn blows, but we couldn't change it. Oh, how that fact ripped at my heart. I noticed there was something else different about Dad's eyes other than the jaundice. He realized that his body, just like a past boyfriend or girlfriend, was breaking up with him. He didn't want to die, but life was breaking up with him. On December 7, 2007 at 3:00 am, Dad drew his last breath on the hospice bed that had been staged in his living room.

Two months later, I decided that there had to be something done to help get people off the tracks of pancreatic cancer. My research led me to The Hirshberg Foundation. I was filled with hope to realize there was indeed a way to fight back and that Cotton's fight didn't end on that hospice bed.
Those people that knew my Dad called him Cotton, due to his blonde hair. Cotton raised a family of singers and musicians, so we decided to plan a music festival in his memory. Cotton Fest was held on September 29, 2007 on our 17 acre private property in Etowah, Tennessee. We had professional and semi-professional bands playing mainly Bluegrass, Contemporary Bluegrass, and Southern Gospel Music. The event generated $700.00 in donations for the Foundation. We plan to do much better this year by getting an earlier start. There were a lot of growing pains associated with getting our property festival-ready. We are looking forward to The 2nd Annual Cotton-Fest which will be held on September 27, 2008. Our family and friends are working aggressively to secure enough sponsors in order to donate a 100% of the proceeds to The Hirshberg Foundation

I am eternally grateful that there exists a foundation of hope for all those like Doyle and Cotton. This was my way of healing...knowing that their life and their fight will continue.

C. Carl Roe passed away September 5, 2008 from complications caused by pancreatic cancer. Our goal with this fund is to raise awareness of the severity of pancreatic cancer by describing our personal experience. Our focus is to spread information about this silent but deadly disease. We want to honor this person who was so important in our lives by trying to give hope to others who will have to travel his same path. We hope to raise awareness about this disease and help raise the funds necessary to develop a better means of detection and eventually a cure. Carl was taken away too soon by a disease that does not have a symptom until well after the disease has developed. We thank everyone for your support in this fight. We will continue to support this wonderful cause until a cure has been found.

Why does anyone commit themselves to long hours, frequent rejection, and no monetary compensation? Certainly, there is satisfaction when all the hard work finally culminates in an event that you can be proud of, but still that is not the reason. It is simple. I want to fight something that has shattered my life and torn my heart. That something is pancreatic cancer.

I lost my husband, Irving Rosenberg, to this disease. We were married for 41 years. He was not perfect. None of us are. He was my world. There is not a day that I don't miss him. As I write this, tears come to my eyes, and all the hurt, frustration, and longing for him is as fresh as the day I lost him on our anniversary, September 3, 2007.

No one should have to experience pancreatic cancer and, for that matter, any cancer. I guess you could say my husband was lucky because he survived 20 months with it. Sometimes I think that he held on by sheer will. What he went through during those 20 months would test the strongest person. Endless tests, a Whipple procedure, chemotherapy, radiation, experimental drugs, CyberKnife, unbelievable pain, and suffering. I was there for him through all of this, watching him, caring for him, and dealing with the medical and insurance community, both good and bad. It has forever changed me, but also has lit a passion in me that will last my lifetime.

I want to put an end to pancreatic cancer, now and forever. The only way to do that is through research. Research requires funding. Why is pancreatic cancer one of the least funded cancers? I know there are other cancers that receive better funding because they affect a larger portion of the population, but still too many people are stricken with pancreatic cancer.

So my son, Paul and I, through his company, Real Results Fitness, decided to put on a 5K and Kids Dash to benefit the Hirshberg Foundation. We chose the Hirshberg Foundation because my husband was diagnosed at UCLA by Dr. Howard Reber, but mostly because the people involved with this organization are a pleasure and a joy to work with on so many levels. They are so understanding and helpful. We do this for another reason. In the Las Vegas / Henderson community there has never been a fundraising event that calls attention to pancreatic cancer. We want the people in Clark County that have been touched by this disease to have an outlet to fire their passion in fighting for a cure. A fundraising event can give people stricken with pancreatic cancer and their families an opportunity to vent their frustrations and put a positive in their life.

Our 3rd Annual 5K and Kids Dash at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, Nevada was bigger than last year! SUCCESS…we had over 400 people attend and raised more than $12,000! We were also honored to have two pancreatic cancer survivors participate in the walk. We are already looking towards next March for the 4th Annual 5K and Kids Dash in 2012!

For more information about our race, please go to www.realresultsfitness.com to register for next year. We welcome you to join us at our event.

Chef John Thiel dreamed of opening a restaurant. His father's passion for food and wine inspired Thiel to become a chef, and together they spoke of running a business. In the Fall of 2005, John realized his dream by opening Pappo, a Mediterranean Restaurant located in his hometown of Alameda, California. The only missing ingredient which would have made the opening perfect was his father, William J. Thiel, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2000 at the age of 59.

The one-year celebration is a significant milestone in the restaurant industry, so as Pappo's first anniversary approached, John knew the celebration had to be unique. "We have been very fortunate since the day we opened and I wanted to use this anniversary as an opportunity to give back." He added, "I was motivated to pay tribute and respect to my father who was unable to be a part of this dream of mine."

John did just that. Last October, he organized a dinner party for 44 people that raised almost $6,000 for the Foundation. Held at Pappo (which means "to eat" in Latin), they charged a set price for a five-course dinner paired with world class wines from Robert Chadderdon. A silent auction was held, featuring donated pieces of art and private collections of wine. The staff at Pappo's volunteered their time and more than 90% of the food and wine was donated from the restaurants purveyors. This allowed Thiel to keep the cost of the event down and thus maximize the proceeds he could donate to the Foundation.

I thought maybe one day it could help my sister, my brothers, myself or any other family member, as I understand this cancer to be hereditary."

After the event, Thiel described the overall experience as "great" and found comfort in the fact that so many of his friends and family would come out to support what he felt was a very worthwhile cause. "I am very happy to be in a position where I could host something like this, and I look forward to making it an annual event."

When asked what his father would have thought of the event had he had been alive to attend, John said "I think my father would have been very proud of me and he would have loved the meal."

In December 2009 my mom was initially diagnosed with bile duct cancer. On January 14, 2010, her diagnosis changed to pancreatic cancer after a new biopsy was performed. She was given six months to live without chemotherapy and nine months with chemotherapy and surgery. After further investigation, it was found that mom was not a surgical candidate because they found one metastasis in her liver. She began a chemotherapy regimen while seeking out other surgical options. She had a liver ablation to remove the one spot in her liver in April and in August found a surgeon that would attempt a Whipple procedure. The doctor opened mom up and found that the cancer had spread so they closed her up and surgery was no longer an option. Mom stayed on chemotherapy until she passed away on January 12, 2011. She endured a few set backs; infections that ended her up in the hospital, an allergic reaction to chemotherapy, but through it all g-d was beside her.

I wanted to do something to honor my mom and raise awareness and money for pancreatic cancer research. I decided to create a Hirshberg Fund and raise money to shave my head. I raised $830 for research! My mom was there with me through the whole process. I miss my mom and wish there was a cure for this horrible disease!

On November 23, 2009, I competed in the Tempe, Arizona Ironman triathlon in memory of my mother, who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer.

The event started at 7am, just as the sun was rising over the desert horizon. When the start cannon sounded, all participants were given 17 hours to navigate the Ironman course: a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile marathon. Throughout the event, I wore a purple Hirshberg Foundation wristband representing the fight against the disease and ongoing research efforts to find a cure. I can recall looking down at the wristband and gaining inspiration and strength, especially during the hours spent on the bike and throughout the marathon.

Through the generosity of family, friends and even strangers, I raised over $3,000 for the Foundation.

I'm scheduled to participate in the 2010 Arizona Ironman event again in November, and plan to once again use it as a fundraiser event. I'll be wearing the purple wristband throughout my training and in the event, on behalf of those impacted by the disease, and as a reminder to remain strong and keep working towards the Finish Line….and a cure.

Since I was a little girl, my mother, Elizabeth Wilder, and I had shared dreams of my wedding day. From the invitations and flower arrangements, to the wedding dress and cake, she and I had preplanned all of the wedding details. By the time I got engaged at the age of 25, my mother had already been battling pancreatic cancer for over a year. I was faced with the devastating reality that my mother would not live to see me get married. Sadly, my mother lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on February 15, 2008, and like everyone else who had known and loved her, I was heart-broken.

Over the next nine months, my fiancé and I considered various options that would allow us to incorporate my mom's spirit into our wedding. After reading about a few organizations, we stumbled upon the Hirshberg Foundation's website and learned that their main focus is on raising funds for laboratory research in hopes of developing a cure for the cancer. Shortly after sending our contribution, we received purple ribbons for our wedding guests, as well as place cards explaining the purpose of our donation.

On the evening of November 8, 2008, I walked happily down the aisle with a bit of lace from my mother's wedding dress sewn into mine, and one of her brooches pinned to my bouquet. With the color purple (also my mom's favorite color) integrated into our clothing, flowers, and decorations, we each proudly donned our purple ribbons throughout the night in honor and loving remembrance of her life.

This past February 15th, on the one year anniversary of her passing, my whole family got together again to commemorate my mother's life. People brought flowers and memories to share, and still others made additional donations to the Hirshberg Foundation to try and help fight this horrific disease. Though my mother was not able to attend my wedding in person, her spirit and her love was all around us that night.