Hugo's to Host Pancreatic Cancer Research Fundraiser

Hugo’s restaurant will be hosting the official opening of the Lustgarten Foundation’s Westlake Village Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk/Run sponsorship drive on January 22.

On that evening, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., Hugo’s (located at 5046 Cornell Road, Agoura Hills, CA, 91301, 818-707-0300,) will donate 20 percent of all proceeds (pre-sales tax and tip on dine-in checks) to The Lustgarten Foundation’s Westlake Village Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk/Run, which will be held February 9.

The event, originally launched as P.A.M.s Run, celebrates the life of Pam Bardwil, who was an avid runner and active member of the Westlake Village community. The Run will take place at the Westlake City Hall. The event’s founders, who raised over $150,000 last year, anticipate over 1,000 participants.

Hugo’s, whose menu promotes the health and welfare associated with eating well, has a long history of supporting its community.

"It's heart-warming to see the community come together to honor Pam Bardwil and raise funds and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer. Hugo's is proud to be part of the effort for the second year in a row,” said Tom Kaplan, co-owner of Hugo’s.

Five years ago, Kristen and Jessica Bardwil founded this event on Valentine’s Day weekend to honor their mother with a different kind of gift–not one of flowers or chocolate–but one of remembrance and giving hope to others.

“Five years after our first event we are closer to early detection than ever before,” said Jessica Bardwil. “Hearing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis for our mom was the hardest thing we have ever had to hear, but we are hopeful that the dollars we are raising now are changing that for people in the future. There is hope.”

“And hope is really what this event is all about, " said Kristen Bardwil. "Each year we meet survivors and people who have lost loved ones like we have and are committed to fighting this disease. It’s really powerful when people come together for a cause and to celebrate life."

Since Kristen and Jessica started the walk/run five years ago, the event has grown from a family and friend-supported event and personal mission, to one that embraces the pancreatic cancer community at-large and has the full support of The Lustgarten Foundation, the nation’s largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research. Thanks to Cablevision Systems Corporation’s multi-year commitment to underwrite all of The Lustgarten Foundation’s administrative expenses, 100 percent of every dollar raised will go directly to pancreatic cancer research.

The Run/Walk will take place on Saturday February 9 at 8 a.m., beginning in the courtyard of the Westlake Village City Hall, 31200 Oak Crest Drive in Westlake Village. (Registration begins at 7:00am).

For more information and to register for the event online, visit http://2013westlakewalkrun.kintera.org or call 866.789.1000.