In This Case, It's Good To Give Bunny Ears

Roxborough resident Eileen Wawrzynek participates in the annual run/walk for Pancreatic Cancer every year because, she says, it makes her feel closer to her sister.

"It makes me feel like I'm doing it with her," she said. "Even though I know I'm not."

Wawrzynek's sister, Bernadette, who was lovingly known as Bunny, died of pancreatic cancer 45 days after her diagnosis.

"This is an awful, awful disease that doesn't get a lot of publicity," Wawrzynek said. "It's a killer."

Asked to describe her sister, Wawrzynek said vivacious and fun-loving come to mind immediately.

"Everyone loved her, she just had that way about her," she said. "She didn't have children of her own but seemed to adopt everyone. If you were her friend, you were her friend for life."'

Although doctors were hopeful when Bunny was first diagnosed, Wawrzynek said their prognosis quickly changed and, just weeks after the diagnosis, hospice care was called in. 

"That was the worst day of my life," Wawrzynek said of her sister's death.

But the Roxborough resident found a way to turn the awful into awareness when she created "Bunny Hoppers," a team that participates in the awareness walk sponsored by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

The walk/run is scheduled for Saturday at Memorial Hall in Fairmont Park (near the Please Touch Museum). Runners begin at 8:30 a.m. and walkers at 8:35 a.m. Day of registration opens at 7 a.m.

Last year, Warzynek's team, in its inaugural year, raised $3,215 for the network. This year, the team has raised $6,590 and has nearly 80 people on their team. 

"It's a big jump from last year," Wawrzynek said. "Someone I worked with 30 years ago donated to our team."

For more information about The Bunny Hoppers or to donate, click here.

Although her sister lost the fight, Wawrzynek siad she's continuing.

"It's so sad, but it's so hopeful," she said of event. "I like the network's slogan of know it, fight it, end it."

Which is exactly what she's trying to do.