Emily Foster and her grandmother Betty Geraci, who she affectionately called “Meme”, shared a passion for art. When Emily was a young girl, her mother and grandmother took her to local museums and galleries where they marveled at various splendid works from numerous talented artists.

In 2004, Emily’s family received the shattering news that Geraci had been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Like many patients, the doctors predicted Geraci had between three and six months to live. In 2006, after long outliving the doctors’ prediction, Meme was slowly beginning to lose her battle with the disease. Although her grandmother was still alive and fighting, Emily was feeling helpless. “My grandmother was getting sicker and I just wanted to do something.” So rather than just hope, she decided to try and help! Emily turned to art, a passion she shared with her Meme, and began organizing several local artists for a benefit.

Just as Emily began implementing her idea for an art show, her grandmother succumbed to the disease. Emily devoted the next six months to planning event, which she named, “Art Can Cure”. She created a website, solicited sponsors and secured local artists to participate and donate their art. On the evening of December 2^nd, 2006 Art Can Cure was held in Savannah’s Orleans Hall. Through the sale of tickets and art, the event raised more than $5,000 for the Hirshberg Foundation.

When asked why she chose the Foundation as the event’s beneficiary, Emily replied, “I found the Hirshberg Foundation after Googling “pancreatic cancer”. I read Agi’s story and cried as I read it. The spirit in which The Hirshberg Foundation was created moved me and I knew then where I wanted to help.”

“I think she would have had a ball!” Emily said excitedly when asked what her grandmother would have thought of the event. “She never got to see Art Can Cure come together but I believe she was there in spirit. As the local artwork hung and music played and the people chatted, I could almost envision my Meme going from painting to painting, asking questions and being the life of the party,” Emily continued.

Despite her personal loss and all the effort Emily put into the planning the event, she would like to host one again. “I worked really hard for six months and when the building was set up and guests were there, I was happier than I had ever been. I honestly felt like doing a happy dance and saying ‘I did it!’!”

She added, “I would like to follow in Agi’s footsteps and build a relationship with local hospitals and cancer programs while always having a bond with The Hirshberg Foundation.

Chef John Thiel dreamed of opening a restaurant. His father’s passion for food and wine inspired Thiel to become a chef, and together they spoke of running a business. In the Fall of 2005, John realized his dream by opening Pappo, a Mediterranean Restaurant located in his hometown of Alameda, California. The only missing ingredient which would have made the opening perfect was his father, William J. Thiel, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2000 at the age of 59.

The one-year celebration is a significant milestone in the restaurant industry, so as Pappo’s first anniversary approached, John knew the celebration had to be unique. “We have been very fortunate since the day we opened and I wanted to use this anniversary as an opportunity to give back.” He added, “I was motivated to pay tribute and respect to my father who was unable to be a part of this dream of mine.”

John did just that. Last October, he organized a dinner party for 44 people that raised almost $6,000 for the Foundation. Held at Pappo (which means “to eat” in Latin), they charged a set price for a five-course dinner paired with world class wines from Robert Chadderdon. A silent auction was held, featuring donated pieces of art and private collections of wine. The staff at Pappo’s volunteered their time and more than 90% of the food and wine was donated from the restaurants purveyors. This allowed Thiel to keep the cost of the event down and thus maximize the proceeds he could donate to the Foundation.

“I wanted the proceeds to go directly to The Hirshberg Foundation to further the research of pancreatic cancer because that is what my father had. I thought maybe one day it could help my sister, my brothers, myself or any other family member, as I understand this cancer to be hereditary.”

After the event, Thiel described the overall experience as “great” and found comfort in the fact that so many of his friends and family would come out to support what he felt was a very worthwhile cause. “I am very happy to be in a position where I could host something like this, and I look forward to making it an annual event.”

When asked what his father would have thought of the event had he had been alive to attend, John said “I think my father would have been very proud of me and he would have loved the meal.”

Editors Note: Last year we were contacted by Hillary Cavan, a young woman from Chicago, who was training to run in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, and wanted to raise money for the Hirshberg Foundation in conjunction with her training. After the marathon, we asked her to answer some questions about her experience.

What motivated you to train for the Chicago Marathon?

I ran the marathon for my Father who passed away from Pancreatic Cancer. Although, I never had the opportunity to meet my father I have always felt as though he is with me every step I take. He was diagnosed with this cancer when mother was eight months pregnant with me. I was born on the day of his funeral, three days after he had passed away.

Why did you choose to raise funds for the Hirshberg Foundation?

When I committed myself to this marathon there was not a charity that was closer to my heart. Having the opportunity to raise money throughout my training & running the marathon with extra support and pride is something I will never forget.  It had been 24 years but I never want my family to forget what an amazing man he was and how important it is to keep cancer research in the minds of everyone.

What were your results?

I raised just over $5,000 with the help of my loving friends, family & co-workers and I completed the marathon in 4 hours, 15 minutes!

How was the overall experience for you?

It was an incredible experience that I will never forget. My father was an amazing man and being able to raise this money in his honor was something I will hold so close to my heart. I think it helped remind everyone of how unforgettable he is and brought back amazing memories for all.

What do you think your dad would have thought about you running a marathon?

I know my Dad was with me every step of the way. My long training runs, my solo runs during the week and most importantly all 26.2 miles! It was a very cold & grey day in Chicago and at mile 23 the sun just peaked out a bit; I know that his spirit was shining down on me.

Will you ever run 26.2 miles again?

I would love to run another marathon in the near future & will definitely look forward to raising money for the Hirshberg Foundation!

One of the pleasures of being apart of our organization is the wonderful people we meet. Most often we become instant extended family members, bound by our quest for helping those touched by pancreatic cancer. One of our treasured friends is Heather Stevens.

Heather, with her radiant smile, dogmatic perseverance and gentle soul has been a part of our organization for the past four years. After her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and post Whipple surgery, she joined our efforts to raise awareness and offered her help to newly diagnosed patients. We fell in love with Heather and her 14 year old son Connor instantly. We have shared wonderful times through foundation events such as the LA Cancer Challenge. For the past two years Heather and Connor traveled with us to Vancouver to cheer on our Marathon Training Team. I know that her mere presence helped all of us finish the long race.

In 2005 her cancer unfortunately returned. A treatment available in Basel, Switzerland was suggested to Heather by her UCLA oncologist. Neuroendocrine (slow growing) tumors had been successfully treated with a novel “radiolabelled somostatin analogue octreotate”. It took the Foundation twenty-four hours to research the treatment and to decide that this procedure was an option for our Heather. This treatment was not covered by insurance for pancreatic cancer patients in the United States. A special “Hope for Heather” fund was created by friends, family and the Hirshberg Foundation to make the journey possible to Basel in three different 7-day installments.

Heather is still fighting for her life as the treatment left her immune system compromised with her bone marrow in a depleted state. Her endurance and positive attitude is an inspiration to all of us. Her beautiful smile and hopeful spirit is etched in our hearts. We wish her continued strength to continue to fight pancreatic cancer.

Nine members of the Hirshberg Foundation Marathon Team journeyed from Los Angeles to Alaska this past June to participate in the Mayor’s Midnight Sun Marathon and raised over $26,000 for the Foundation.

Team members Kari Richardson, Amy Reiss, Heather Cohen, Michelle Eskenazi, Ernae Mothershed, Veronica Herrera, Agi Hirshberg, Lisa Manheim, and David Manheim joined an estimated 3,000 runners, representing 50 states.

Each team member committed to raise at least $3,000 for the Foundation and in return received round trip airfare, four nights at a hotel, and entry into the Marathon. They were also treated to a pre-race pasta party at the Anchorage Museum of Art and a celebration dinner after the race.

Hirshberg Foundation Director Lisa Manheim noted that the marathoners raised money in a variety of different ways. Michelle Eskenazi, who participated in last year’s Kona Marathon, participated with her friend Ernae Mothershed, to organize Art for Life, an art auction and boutique. Ernae, who was the top pledge earner with over $5,000 in donations, also hosted a Cajun Dinner Party, while Michelle held a yard sale, gathering contributions from friends and co-workers. Kari Richardson, an architect from Venice, hosted a birthday dinner party at her home and asked her friends for donations in lieu of gifts. She also donated her car through the Foundation’s Car Donation Program. Other team members conducted successful letter-writing campaigns.

Everyone was invited to participate in a 21-week training program held on Saturday mornings in Marina del Rey by Robert Mills, one of the area’s premiere marathon training coaches and Director of Club 26.2. Prior to Alaska, only one team member had ever participated in a long-distance running event. In fact, most of the team had never run at all. Yet, the eight half-marathoners and one marathoner on the team all successfully completed the race.

During a marathon, many runners get so tired they feel they can’t even put one foot in front of another anymore. This urge to stop running is known as “hitting the wall.” Team member Amy Reiss, whose mother lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on June 28, 2002, exactly 51 weeks prior to the start of the race, explains why this wasn’t a problem in Alaska.

“On the bus on our way to the starting line, I felt my mom’s presence. She didn’t just show up casually, her energy was everywhere. It happened suddenly and dramatically, and I found myself moved to tears. Even though I had done the training with Robert, I worried that I wouldn’t have the strength to complete the half marathon. But once we started running I realized that feeling her all around me actually gave me the energy I needed.”

Other runners received their inspiration from a more natural, but no less extraordinary source. Hirshberg Foundation Director Lisa Manheim recalls what happened.

“We were running on a picturesque coastal trail, thick with lush green trees, when my mom, Agi, who was running a few paces behind us, yelled out, “Lisa, a moose!” Sure enough, there was a huge moose staring at us from about 20 feet away. We all stropped and stared, hardly believing that we were actually in the presence of such an incredible creature.”

“My mom said laughing at that moose was the highlight of the day. ‘Maybe they (all of the people for whom we were running in memory of) sent the moose, to let us know they were up there, cheering us on,’ she told me. I think she’s right. That’s just the sort of thing my stepdad would do.”

When Michelle Eskenazi and Ernae Mothershed joined the Hirshberg Foundation Marathon Training Team last January, they weren’t quite sure which would be more challenging: training for the Mayor’s Midnight Sun Half Marathon in Alaska, or raising $3,000 each for the Foundation. Determined to succeed, they put their creative talents together and organized Art for Life, an art sale and boutique.

“Our goal was to create a fun and interesting event that would appeal to a wide audience,” said Mothershed. “Art for Life introduced shoppers to the LA art scene in a warm and friendly environment, and provided a wonderful opportunity for everyone involved to support the Foundation.”

Held on June 7 at the Kolor Graphics Bureau in downtown Los Angeles, Art for Life featured some of the best creative talent in Los Angeles. For a $5 entrance fee, guests experienced the latest in local art, fashion and gifts, while enjoying award-winning Charles Jacquin wines and delectable food. Two DJ’s provided entertainment while shoppers participated in a silent auction of items that were donated by the featured artists. The late afternoon event raised over $3,000 for the Hirshberg Foundation and guaranteed Michelle and Ernae a trip to Alaska with our Marathon Team.

“We were overwhelmed by the response from the participants. Everyone involved added something special to the event. We were fortunate to connect with so many talented and generous companies,” exclaimed Eskenazi.

Featured exhibitors included contemporary artists Frank Bruynbroek, Stephen Canthal, Irene Carranza, Margaret Garcia, MandellArt & Rod Sampson; apparel from Higher Consciousness & Nahnuh; jewelry designers Earth Monkey, Virginia Kander, Karma Kulture & Alison Winston; gifts from Honeymilk children’s wear, Mon Jardin bath & body, home accessories and gifts, NelsonArt handmade watercolor cards & Laura Zinger luxury pillows and pottery by Eileen Branda and Sara Paloma.

According to Lisa Manheim, Director of the Foundation, there will be a 2^nd Annual Art for Life. “Michelle and Ernae did such a fantastic job organizing this event, and the response was so terrific, that we definitely plan on adding it to our fundraising calendar next year.”