The 15th Annual Lustgarten Foundation Naperville Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research is set for Sun., July 14, 2024, stepping off from the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion.
Again, Lustgarten Foundation’s Naperville Walk provides survivors, patients, friends and families a day of hope, remembrance and action.
This annual walk has grown step by step year after year, always providing news of recent advances in research along with a community of support for many people affected by pancreatic cancer.
In 2010, Jennifer Tedrow’s father, Mark, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when he was just 66 years old. Mark passed away in 2016, leaving his family devastated and in need of a way to make a difference.
“I am honored to be a member of Lustgarten’s community dedicated to making an impact on the lives of people affected by pancreatic cancer,” said Tedrow, back again in a leadership role, marking the 15th year of making a difference here in Naperville.
“My husband, children and I make volunteering and giving back to our schools and our community a priority,” explained Tedrow. “The Walk is a tangible, gratifying step I can take to give back to the pancreatic cancer community and honor my dad’s legacy.”
Tedrow added, “We’d love to have community members join us for the walk or get involved in any way that works for them.”
Over the first 15 years, the Naperville Walk has raised more than $1 million in support of the Lustgarten Foundation.
“With 100% of every donation going toward the fight against pancreatic cancer, this is a very tangible and meaningful way to make a difference against this disease,” she said.
Back 15 years ago when the Lustgarten Foundation first brought its walk to Naperville, pancreatic cancer was considered “an orphan disease with very little money going into research and virtually no long-term treatment options.”
Year after year, Lustgarten has changed all that as the number of walks has grown to more than 25 across the U.S., providing much-needed funding for significant life-saving research. Today, thousands of researchers are working to improve patient outcomes and to discover breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer treatments. To date, Lustgarten has funded nearly $280 million in research grants, serving as a leading force in every major advancement in pancreatic cancer research.
Simply Put…
WHAT & WHERE: Lustgarten Foundation Naperville Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research features 1.5 and 2.5 mile routes beginning and ending at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court.
WHEN: Check-in begins at 8:30AM Sun., July 14, 2024 / Opening Ceremony at 9AM / Walk Kick-off at 9:30AM.
WHY: Pancreatic cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. with an overall survival rate of just 13%. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 66,440 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024. 100% of donations fund pancreatic cancer research.
Tedrow added that several new features added last year will complement the 2024 walk, including the “H-O-P-E” backdrop for photos.
“Updated messaging and backdrops with a focus on ‘hope’ refreshed the look last year,” she said.
“’Empowering Research. Inspiring Hope.’ Lustgarten offers hope to all individuals affected by pancreatic cancer. Together we will reflect, remember, celebrate progress, and fund the next groundbreaking discoveries toward a cure.”
While the Lustgarten Foundation is celebrating its 26th Anniversary, Tedrow explained, “…Here in Naperville we’re celebrating raising more than $1 million since the inception of local efforts 15 years ago by Ann Zediker and her family. And we’re working to transform pancreatic cancer into a curable disease,” she said, with gratitude to all.
For more information about setting up a team, making a donation or volunteering, visit www.Lustgarten.org/Naperville.
RELATED PN POSTS THAT HELP TELL THE STORY OF THE GROWTH OF THIS EVENT / www.positivelynaperville.com/?s=lustgarten.
