Goodnoe 6th Grader Hosts “Kickin’ For A Cause” Birthday Fundraiser

NEWTOWN, PA — On Saturday, Newtown's Bridget Wittig celebrated her 12th birthday in a big way - by hosting a kickball party to help raise funds for pancreatic cancer research.

In lieu of accepting presents, Wittig asked her friends and family to instead make a donation to A Love for Life, a Newtown-based nonprofit that raises funds for pancreatic cancer research.

Wittig organized the party in memory of her Pop Pop Brian Wittig and her Uncle Reverend Paul Quinter, who both died from the disease, and in honor of her Aunt Jacci, who is a survivor.

"My Pop Pop died of pancreatic cancer before I was born. I'm sad I never met him," said Bridget. "My Aunt Jacci also got pancreatic cancer but she beat it. I want to raise money to find cures so other families don't lose loved ones to pancreatic cancer like my family did."

Bridget Wittig blows out the candles on her birthday cake. (Contributed)

Bridget with her family. (Contributed)

This is the second year Wittig has designated the funds for A Love for Life.

"Instead of getting presents, I asked everyone to give money to help find cures for cancer. I'd rather have cures for cancer than more toys or clothes,"she said. "It's really important to help others who are sick if you can. I felt really good raising money to help make that happen during my kickball party!"

Wittig raised more than $2,000 on Saturday in support of A Love for Life and its mission.

Christine Edmonds, who founded A Love for Life in memory of her late husband who died from the disease, had high praise for the 12-year-old.

“To imagine a 12 year old deciding to give up a lot of fun presents in order to raise money for a charity is mind-boggling," said Edmonds who has raised more than a million for pancreatic cancer researchers at Penn Medicine. “Our mission is one I work towards pretty much every day of my life now, but I don’t think I could have made that decision as a child. Bridget is such a bright, smart, sweet girl - we are so lucky to have her and her family on our team. November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month so this was a fun start to our efforts.”

More information about A Love for Life is available at www.aloveforlife.us . To donate in Bridget’s honor, click here.

Bridget and her friends and relatives at her Kickball Party. (Contributed)