Rye Resident Joins The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision's curePC Campaign in Recognition of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

This November, Rye resident Tara Shanes-Hernandez will participate in the curePC Courage Project, a video series of moving stories in tribute to those impacted by pancreatic cancer, created by The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision Systems Corporation to mark Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

curePC is the award-winning public awareness campaign created by Cablevision, a leading media and telecommunications company, and The Lustgarten Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit funder of pancreatic cancer research. The campaign raises awareness of the urgent fight against pancreatic cancer, America’s most lethal cancer. Due to the support of Cablevision, 100 percent of every dollar donated to The Lustgarten Foundation goes directly to pancreatic cancer research.

Tara’s mother Gigi was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2008 and lost her courageous battle less than a year later at the age of 52. In memory of her beloved mom, Tara, an avid walker, created Westchester’s annual Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk in partnership with The Lustgarten Foundation. The Westchester Walk raises awareness and funds to support research, and since the inaugural walk in 2010, it has raised more than one million dollars for research.

“When my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, our family was devastated to learn about the awful statistics of this disease,” said Tara Shanes-Hernandez. “I joined with The Lustgarten Foundation to help other families facing this diagnosis. I would love to someday be able to celebrate a cure for pancreatic cancer and know that I did something that made a difference.”

“We are inspired by Tara’s incredible dedication to the fight against pancreatic cancer,” said Kerri Kaplan, executive director and COO, The Lustgarten Foundation. “The fact that the Westchester Walk has grown so much in only five years is a testament to Tara’s strength and the influence her mother’s battle has had on her community. Research is our best hope, so we can beat this deadly disease.”

To view the curePC Courage Project, click here. Help spread the word this November by sharing these personal video tributes with others using #PancreaticCancer, and join the participants, The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision in the fight against pancreatic cancer.