Pancreatic Cancer Research Run/Walk Reaches 5-Year Milestone

The Westlake Village Pancreatic Cancer Research Run/Walk marks its fifth year on February 9th.

Originally known as PAM's Run, the event was started by sisters Kristen and Jessica Bardwell in honor of their mother who died of the disease at the age of 54. Four years ago, the grass-roots fundraiser joined forces with the Lustgarten Foundation, the nation’s premier private funder of pancreatic cancer research.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. There is no early diagnosis, no effective long-term treatment, and unless detected early enough, there is no cure. 

“We still have a long way to go, but five years after our first event we are closer to early detection than ever before.” said Jessica Bardwil in a press release. “Hearing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis for our mom was the hardest thing we have ever had to hear, but we are hopeful that the funds we are raising now are changing that for people in the future.  There is hope thanks to research dollars..’

For this year's event, the Lustgarten Foundation is allocating $25 million in new research grants towards the race to find a cure.

All proceeds from the Westlake Village Run/Walk will benefit The Lustgarten Foundation.  Thanks to Cablevision Systems Corporation’s multi-year commitment to underwrite all of The Lustgarten Foundation’s administrative expenses, 100% of every dollar raised will go directly to pancreatic cancer research.  

This year’s Run/Walk is expected to draw over 1,000 attendees and will feature live music, an expo, food and activities for the whole family.

In January, Hugo's Restaurant hosted a kick-off event for the event.

The 10k Run/Walk will take place on Saturday February 9th at 8 a.m.; the 5k is at 9:15 a.m. Both begin in the courtyard of the Westlake Village City Hall, 31200 Oak Crest Drive in Westlake Village. (Registration begins at 7 a.m.).

For complete details and to register for the event online, visit www.lustgarten.org or call 866.789.1000.