Bunny Hoppers Team Raises $25K For Pancreatic Cancer Research

Every year, the Bunny Hoppers work passionately to raise funds to fight for the research that is needed to find a cure and an early warning detection mechanism for pancreatic cancer. We are one little team of hundreds that also work just as passionately in Philadelphia every year, culminating with PurpleStride Philadelphia. It’s not easy to beg for donations, but we all have lost a family member or friend to this horrendous disease. I lost my beloved sister 44 days after she received her diagnosis. To say that we were devastated that a beautiful, vivacious spirit could melt away before your eyes is putting it mildly. Across Philadelphia and the nation ... and the world, there are similar stories.

This is why we are so passionate and won’t give up. This is why we Wage Hope. In 40 years, there has not been an improvement on the outlook for this disease. This had been the same outlook for breast cancer and prostate cancer 40 years ago. Now, look at the wonderful advancements that have been made in just those two areas. Do you know why? Because the National Cancer Institute and the government supported the research and the outcome of the research has been outstanding. As it should be. The same with AIDS/HIV. Well, now it’s time to turn some attention to Pancreatic Cancer. Every year, almost 80% of the people that are stricken with PC will die within one year. What if that is you, your Mom or Dad, your sister or brother? Only 6% live as long five years. Scary? It should be.

The NCI funding is LESS than 2% for a killer disease. The only way that research is continuing is through private donations, such as PurpleStrides throughout the US, which flow into the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan). PanCan is a 4-star navigator charity that provides research grants so that more can be learned about this disease (and it’s working ... right here in Philadelphia and throughout the nation with promising researchers). PanCan provides help in the all important clinical trials for patients and support for not only patients, but for the families that are lost and crying for help in a pool of sorrow. PanCan also managed, along with volunteers from across the nation,who will never give up, to get the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act signed by President Obama on January 2, 2013. This Act will create a scientific framework for accelerating progress and improving patient outcomes.

Then there is community awareness and that is up to all of us. Our family and friends are so loyal ... Bunny Hoppers to the end, in memory of Bunny Rafter Carrigan. There are so many businesses that contributed to our cause through donations of gift baskets, gift certificates, donating places of business ... I think that they should be recognized publicly for their generosity. These are the businesses that deserve your patronage in the upcoming season of thanksgiving and joy ... PAY IT FORWARD:

THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
THE ADOBE CAFE
ADVANCED FOOT & ANKLE WELLNESS CENTER, PC
ADVENTURE AQUARIUM
APPLEBEES RESTAURANT, ANDORRA
ART & SCIENCE SALON AND SPA
BISTRO ROMANO ITALIAN RESTAURANT
BOURBON BLUE RESTAURANT
COUCH TOMATO CAFE/BISTRO
CRUISES ONLY
EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY
JOE HAND PROMOTIONS
HEAVEN & EARTH SALON AND SPA
GARY MANN JEWELERS
MORRIS ARBORETUM
NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER
PANERA BREAD, CONSHOCKEN/PLYMOUTH
PIZZERIA DiMEO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
PLAYBILL
SKIN SMART DERMATOLOGY
SUMMIT SPINE AND WELLNESS CENTER
SWEET FROG PREMIUM YOGURT, ROXBOROUGH
WALNUT STREET THEATER
WINNIE’S LeBUS RESTAURANT
YOGA ON THE RIDGE