The 16th Annual Lustgarten Foundation Naperville Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research is set for Sun., July 13, 2025, stepping off again from the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion.
Since 2009, Lustgarten Foundation’s Naperville Walk has provided 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 to help make a difference here in Naperville.”
To date, the Naperville walk has raised $1.1 million for pancreatic research.
“The Walk always is a tangible, gratifying step I can take to give back to the pancreatic cancer community and honor my dad’s legacy. Last year we raised $125,000 here in Naperville in support of the Lustgarten Foundation. We hope to exceed that amount this year,” Tedrow added.
“We’d love to have community members join us for the walk on July 13 or get involved in any way that works for them.”
“With 100% of every donation going toward the fight against pancreatic cancer, this is a very meaningful way to make a difference against this disease,” she said.
Back 16 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 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. Lustgarten serves as a leading force in every major advancement in pancreatic cancer research, details of which will be presented at the Naperville Walk.
Tedrow is pleased to report that awareness and fundraising are making a difference.
“Over the course of our efforts in Naperville, the last 16 years, the 5-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer has more than doubled, from 6% in 2010 to 13% reported by the American Cancer Society in January 2025,” Tedrow noted. “While that’s progress, it’s not enough.”
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 13, 2025 / 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%. 100% of donations fund pancreatic cancer research.
Walk Day Notes
“We have several community partners back this year, like Ulta, Pinot’s Palette, Trader Joe’s, Naper A’s (the vintage car guys),” Tedrow noted. “And we’re hoping to add more this year.”
Tedrow added, “While we are fundraising for pancreatic cancer research, we strive to make this a great community event, enhancing the experience of our walkers and promoting local businesses.”
For more information about setting up a team, making a donation or volunteering, visit www.Lustgarten.org/Naperville.
