New Rochelle Resident Joins The Lustgarten Foundation and More Than 1,000 Westchester Residents in Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk

New Rochelle resident Joanna Berk will honor her mother by joining more than 1,000 Westchester and surrounding area residents at The Lustgarten Foundation’s sixth annual Westchester Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk. The walk will be held on Sunday, April 19, at Rye Playland Park in Rye, NY.

The Lustgarten Foundation is the nation’s largest private foundation dedicated to funding pancreatic cancer research. Due to Cablevision’s support of the Foundation, 100 percent of every dollar that Joanna and her fellow walkers raise will go directly to pancreatic cancer research.

Joanna’s mother Jean was a healthy, dynamic working mom who held their family of 10 together. But suddenly in August 2010, 69-year-old Jean became jaundiced. Testing revealed she had pancreatic cancer. Surgery to remove the cancerous tumors and regular chemotherapy enabled Jean to continue to work and spend weekends with the family. To celebrate her three-year survival, Jean, together with Joanna, their family and friends, joined The Lustgarten Foundation’s Westchester Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk in 2013 for the first time as “The Jean Team.” They had planned to attend again in 2014, but sadly Jean’s health took a turn for the worse and she passed away that August. Joanna feels strongly that her mother would want them to return to the walk again this year to help make a difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

Joanna believes that participating in the walk is an inspirational way to honor her mother’s memory. And for Joanna, it is also fulfilling to know that 100 percent of all money she raises goes directly to pancreatic cancer research.

“It is because of dedicated individuals like Joanna that we’re able to raise much-needed awareness of pancreatic cancer and to raise funds that will go directly toward advancing important research aimed at developing an early detection test, better treatments, and ultimately, a cure,” said Kerri Kaplan, executive director and chief operating officer, The Lustgarten Foundation.

The Lustgarten Foundation’s Westchester Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk at Rye Playland Park will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 19, with registration starting at 8:00 a.m. For more information about the walk or to register, please visit www.curePC.org.

About Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is swift and silent, often undetected until it’s too late. The overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is seven percent and most with advanced cancer die within a year. There are no early detection tests, no effective long-term treatments and, unless the cancer is surgically removed in its earliest stages, no cure. It is the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. For more information about pancreatic cancer, please visit: www.curepc.org/infographic.

About The Lustgarten Foundation

The Lustgarten Foundation is America’s largest private foundation dedicated to funding pancreatic cancer research. Based in Bethpage, New York, the Foundation supports research to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, facilitates dialogue within the medical and scientific community, and educates the public about the disease through awareness campaigns and fundraising events. The Foundation has provided millions of research dollars and assembled the best scientific minds with the hope that one day, a cure can be found. Due to the support of Cablevision Systems Corporation, a leading media and telecommunications company, 100 percent of every dollar donated to The Lustgarten Foundation goes directly to pancreatic cancer research. The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision are also partners in the curePC public awareness campaign in support of the fight against pancreatic cancer. For additional information, please visit www.curePC.org.