Jenny Bealmear posted her personal story about pancreatic cancer on her LA Cancer Challenge fundraising page. Her story immediately captured the hearts of the Hirshberg Foundation staff and a certain buzz began! We not only had another hero for our cause- we were gaining a Super Hero! Her story is a wonderful example of creative fundraising combined with heartwarming passion and a wonderful sense of humor. We couldn’t help but want share this young woman’s motivating journey with all of our readers!

Jennifer started out ready to jog for a cause that’s become dear to her heart. She signed up for the 2012 LACC 5K/10K to honor the memory of her Grandpa whom she’d lost to pancreatic cancer nearly 5 years ago. She was welcomed with open arms at her first Hirshberg event and in all honesty Jenny Bealmear became Wonder Woman by name at The Hirshberg Foundation offices! For over a decade one of the very unique and fun aspects of the LA Cancer Challenge has been the masses of people walking and running at this family friendly event, all dressed up for Halloween. It’s fun for the kids and often it’s even more fun for the adults! Jenny made it special in a new way this year for all of us.

On her fundraising page she wrote, “In 2008 my grandpa lost his fight against pancreatic cancer. One day he had back pain and two weeks later he was gone. At that time I had no idea how strong and fast-acting pancreatic cancer could be. Now I do. And it’s because of my grandpa that I’ve decided to run the LA Cancer Challenge 10K race on October 28th to support pancreatic cancer research. No one should be faced with any cancer, let alone a cancer that is not well known and seems to come out of nowhere to attack. This is where I need your help. My goal is to raise $2,500 for the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (the host of the LA Cancer Challenge) before October 28, 2012. They support research, symposiums, awareness efforts, and even provide financial assistance for patients. These are all things that could have helped my grandpa. If I reach my goal of $2,500 I will run the race dressed up as Wonder Woman, and yes, I will provide pictures! –Jennifer”

In return for donations Jennifer offered to put the name, a photo, or even a photo with a caption on a cape that she would design herself. She excitedly exclaimed on her page “Don’t miss out!” Even with the uncertainty of reaching her goal, she still guaranteed her donors that she’d wear the names and photos of loved ones on a t-shirt. When she addressed her donors about wearing a shirt instead of a cape, she wrote, “That’s not nearly as fun though, is it?” Her donors responded enthusiastically. She exceeded her goal, designed her cape and raised $3,500!

Even with a shy and humble exterior upon meeting her, her progress uplifted our spirits. We monitored her fundraising total and celebrated when we knew that her cape would be made. She became a symbol of inspiration to us all. On event morning, her cape reflected the memories of loved ones lost. A reminder to us all that the fight is not over. Wearing a cape, stockings, bodice, and even a red tutu for extra flare- she became our Wonder Woman.

After losing not one but both of his parents to pancreatic cancer, Brad Dal Bon has been fighting this disease in memory of his parents for years. This time however, he’s taking the last swing! It’s been twelve years since the loss of his mother Merrilee in 2000 at the age of 51 and his father Jim only eight years later in 2008 at 61 years old. Brad has seen what pancreatic cancer can do to a dearly loved one, not once but twice. “The golf tournament is a way to raise money to fight pancreatic cancer and to keep a constant reminder of how much my parents mean to me,” says Brad.

The Annual Dal Bon Memorial Golf Tournament has raised $20,000 to date for the Hirshberg Foundation and it continues to be a great success. “The Hirshberg Foundation gives their donated funds directly to research to end pancreatic cancer and this year we raised over $4,000.” This year Brad, along with his loved ones and members of his community, gathered together on the lavish lawns of the Ridge Country Club in Auburn California. It was a day of golf, friends, family, and fun. Brad worked hard to create a brand new website, secured a new golf course, and more importantly he experienced “a renewed energy for the tournament.” Participants of the Dal Bon Memorial Golf Tournament obviously felt that new energy as well because on this particular Saturday in August they faced 104 degrees of sweltering heat! Now, if you’re familiar with golf you know that golfers like to get on the green when it’s as cool as possible. But Jim and Merrilee’s son is committed to the cause and so are his loved ones so they persevered and had a blast! “Our golfer turn out has remained consistent and people have told me directly that it’s the best fundraising tournament they have played in. That is a huge compliment to everyone involved who helps us. Brad’s commitment to honor his parents through this event has motivated him and has inspired members of the community and businesses to pitch in. “Various raffle items have been donated and a lot of money has come in through those generous gifts. We have really been able to streamline the event over the course of four years. This was our best year ever.”

Next year, thanks to an idea from a volunteer, they plan to have a local doctor on the course before the event to explain the body’s anatomy and discuss their in depth knowledge of pancreatic cancer with attendees. “We’ll be hosting the 5th annual Dal Bon Memorial in 2013. It is going to be our best yet. Come on up to beautiful Northern California and join us!”

Visit www.teamdalbon.org today for more information the Dal Bon Memorial Golf Tournament. Join our sponsors for 2013 or sign-up as a participant. Follow us on Twitter @teamdalbon and “like” our Facebook page.

Remember proceeds support the Hirshberg Foundation. You Make a Difference!

By Kaitlin Faircloth

I can still remember the cold February morning over three years ago when my parents woke me to let me know that my grandfather had passed away. I had never known a hurt like that in my life. My grandfather – we called him Papa Bruce – was such a special person. He was always busy, whether he was working at his job, watching all of his grandchildren or working in his yard. He loved every minute of it. He was always happiest when he was busy. When we found out he had pancreatic cancer we were all floored. This disease robbed us of such a wonderful part of our family. He was diagnosed in November of 2009 and just 4 very short months later he was gone forever. I was in the eighth grade, just 13 years old.

As I started my junior year in high school, I knew that I was expected to write a research paper on a topic that meant something to me. It was explained to us that our Junior Paper should be the “jumping off point” for our Senior Project. It only made sense to me that I write about the greatest loss that I have known. It amazed me how little advancement that has been made in a cure for this disease. I wrote my paper thinking of my Papa Bruce and how I could make my Senior Project be a tribute to him.

My Papa Bruce had a side business at his home where he washed cars every Saturday for people in our community. He had washed cars for over 33 years. It only made sense to me to have a car wash event and create a pamphlet to bring more awareness to pancreatic cancer. I decided to invite all of his old clients and bring back all of the people who during their teenage years had helped my Papa Bruce wash cars. I was amazed at the outpouring of love that was shown. During the two day event we welcomed so many of his past clients and the amount of people that showed up to volunteer their time just warmed my heart. We washed over 40 cars and only accepted donations. We did not put a price on what we were doing. I handed out close to 40 pamphlets and was able to share a lot of information with many in our community about pancreatic cancer. I had set a goal of raising $2,000. The event not only met that goal, it ended up passing it by leaps and bounds. To date the total raised is $3,010. I know that my project was a huge success, but it has meant so much more than that to me. I want to thank all that the Hirshberg Foundation does to promote and support research for Pancreatic Cancer.

Prior to losing his battle to pancreatic cancer, Andy Peek was president of the largest video marketer of livestock across the western United States and was loved by thousands from the rancher community. Andy’s siblings continue to operate the family ranching business that was started by Ellington and Betty Peek in 1948. The message below is from Andy’s friend and fellow cowboy Herb Holzapfel, who is committed to our cause for the cure!

When I lost my friend Andy Peek to pancreatic cancer, I made a pledge to offer one animal to be sold at the Western Video Market sale in Reno every year until they find a cure. All of the proceeds go to the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research at UCLA. Each year, the animal would be the first pick of 200 bull calves or a heifer that I raise, whichever the highest bidder prefers. Thanks to the generosity of ranchers, since 2009 we have raised $74,000. The Peeks are wonderful people and they were surprised when I offered my idea, and they’re still surprised every year when I say, “Well, they have not found the cure yet, so here is another bull!” It’s a self-serving pledge because pancreatic cancer is a silent killer, and it could be me, it could be someone in my family. I made the pledge to help because I liked Andy Peek so much, and I did it out of love for the Peek family. I want the disease that took him from all of us to be stopped!        

By Monica Colella

Jim Foster, my dad, was the glue of our family.

When he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September of 2011, it was devastating to all of our family, friends, and colleagues. He was a genuinely good person and his diagnosis raised the constant unanswered question of “why him?” Even as a well-educated woman, I didn’t know anything about pancreatic cancer and wondered,   why is this disease one of the most fatal cancers and the least funded?

After his diagnosis and throughout treatment, Dad didn’t talk much. We all kept wondering what he was thinking about. He put up a good fight and when he was too weak we fought this disease together. When the oncologist and surgeon had done everything they could, my Dad smiled. He shook the surgeon’s hand and thanked him. I remember thinking how could he thank him? It wasn’t until he was gone that I then realized that during all those quiet times we had, he hadn’t been angry. He’d made peace with it long before the rest of us had. He’d slowly taught my mom how to handle everyday tasks, from balancing the checkbook to grilling a hamburger. He even showed my brother how to cook the Thanksgiving turkey. Our fight was cut short after only four months. I think that he was able to thank the surgeon that day because he realized during those short four months that his work here was done. He was confident that he’d done his job as a husband, dad, friend, and colleague and he was proud of the results.

After our loss, our research on pancreatic cancer didn’t stop. I found the Hirshberg Foundation’s website and was excited to find something strictly for pancreatic cancer. My family and friends decided to hold a rummage sale and give 100% of the proceeds to the Hirshberg Foundation. It was well known that all the proceeds from our event would benefit pancreatic cancer research. We held a blind auction and received an abundance of donated gift cards and food from our community, friends, and family. We even had someone donate show rabbits that we were certain wouldn’t sell, but to our surprise they were gone before we knew it!

“Rummaging for a Cure” started out as a simple rummage sale in our community in Sioux City, Iowa. We had a $1,000 goal but when everything was said and done we’d raised thousands of dollars!   With all the support, our fundraiser grew and grew and Foster the CURE grew with it! We had numerous people throughout the event tell us their stories about how pancreatic cancer had affected them. I was completely in awe of how supportive everyone was and our event raised a tremendous amount of awareness and funds.

I was happy to have my garage and house back after months of rummage items taking over! I decided it would be months before discussing or planning another event, but it was about six hours before I was planning for next year! Foster the CURE will be doing an annual event each year. Hopefully something bigger and better, to raise money for pancreatic cancer research and we are looking forward to continuing a long lasting relationship with the Hirshberg Foundation.

The foundation’s Lisa Manheim talks about what the we’re doing to fight pancreatic cancer in a recent radio interview on KKLZ.

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