By Elissa Oblath

The beauty of our 3rd party event program is seeing all the wonderful, ingenious ways our supporters find ways to help us raise pancreatic cancer awareness. No one demonstrates that more than Mitchell Tan.

Mitchell contacted us this summer with the idea to wrap his drift car to raise pancreatic cancer awareness. There was a resounding, “Of course! But what is drifting?” Mitchell, a young driver with dedication, patiently explained practicing turns and perfecting donuts. (It is a lot like the driving featured in The Fast & The Furious movies.) Many people in the sport use parts from providers like Low Offset to help ensure peak performance, as modification is nearly mandatory to have a competitive edge.

Mitchell isn’t just passionate about drifting; he’s motivated to make a difference. Mitchell and MTRacing are dedicated to honoring the memory of Mitchell’s uncle Rudyard. “If there was one thing I’ve learned when [Rudyard] was around it was to never give up, and to keep on keepin’ on,” something Mitchell remembers when he’s drifting. If you’re wanting to start drifting you might be interested in this ae86 for sale Houston, the ae86 is apparently one of the most iconic drift cars available!

Once Mitchell had his car wrapped with our logo and a giant purple ribbon along its length, he set up a fund to share his story. Mitchell’s desire to raise awareness shines through his emails and his enthusiasm is contagious. Luckily the LA Cancer Challenge was around the corner and we realized Mitchell and his car would be the perfect addition.

Mitchell’s car was part of our 2014 LACC Fit Family Expo, where he was “able to share [his] story, and give exposure to the team in… a broader perspective.” Mitchell reminds us “that no matter what, even in the absence of a loved one… we can keep striving.” Mitchell is excited to raise pancreatic cancer awareness in the drift community, “we are reaching out to a whole new society… and showing our family that even after death, there is still a fight to be won.”

When asked about the future, Mitchell is quick to state, “I feel this is a start of not only a new campaign, but a life-long mission of raising awareness that I hope to carry with me while I compete in Formula Drift Pro/Am and on out road to the Formula Drift Pro series. We hope to impact people’s lives, and to have a positive impact on others the way the community has [had] on our team, and to give back. The 2015 season has a lot in store for us, and we are more than happy to have this great cause with us every step of the way.”

By Ernest Park

My first LACC was special because it was shortly after my father passed away. It was me, my brother, mom and girlfriend Robyn. This was my mom’s first race and I was excited to be running with my family. At the starting line I turned my back for a second and as I did, the race started and my mom took off. She just started sprinting without the rest of the family; she had run off without us! I had never seen my mom run like that. It was fantastic and all we could do was chase after her. It was, without a doubt, the most amazing start to our first LACC.

The LACC showed us that we are not alone in this relentless fight against pancreatic cancer. It is so uplifting to see the tremendous amount of passion and support for finding a cure. The fact that such a community exists and is marching forward to do the amazing work they have been doing is so encouraging. I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer November 1, 2009. It is especially fitting that we honor his memory and life around the darkest time of the year for our family. The LACC has been a remarkable outlet to honor my dad’s life while supporting the pancreatic cancer community.

I’m usually apprehensive to ask friends and family to donate or get involved in anything. That fear has faded since seeing the outpouring of support the LACC gathers each year. My wonderful network of friends and family love getting together every year for the race, they get excited and ask how we’re going to top the last year. They were the most amazing group of minions (from Despicable Me) last year and soldiers in Dumbledore’s army (from the Harry Potter series) this year. They are what drive me and fuel me to organize a team each year. Their willingness to support this amazing organization each year truly means the world to me and I can’t wait for the many years to come.

Running for a cause and having that focus motivates me to think beyond myself. The organization has boosted my confidence and brought light to the subject of pancreatic cancer. Instead of all the negative experiences I’ve had with the disease I can now add every great memory I have had with the Hirshberg Foundation to the list. Pancreatic cancer will always be a part of my life since it took someone so dear to me. I want to be able to support others that are fighting cancer as well as those friends and family members that are battling right alongside them. I love the race and everything it stands for and will continue to support and participate every year!

By Peter Fischer

Our Mom, Gertrude Fischer, was one of 13 children born in Dickson City, PA to Polish immigrants who arrived on Ellis Island at the turn of the century. Living in a two bedroom house with a dirt kitchen floor as a child and adolescent, Trudy was the valedictorian of her high school class and went on to receive a Nursing Degree from the NYU School of Nursing in the mid-1950s.   She was an RN (Registered Nurse) for approximately 45 years, providing care for patients in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and psychiatric centers. During the latter years of her career she was a private duty nurse for anyone who needed her assistance. She was known for putting together top-notch, round-the-clock nursing care for people in their homes or brief stays in hospitals. Every day she worked she put on her all-white nursing uniform (white stockings and nursing shoes polished the night before) and lived and breathed her oath to bring comfort and care to the sick and dying.

After retiring from nursing (more the result of a changing world for an aging nurse and not because she wanted to retire) she focused her life even more on her children and grandchildren. She adored her many grandchildren from the very moment each one arrived until her last breath. She died with not a penny in her bank account and even left my Dad with a small department store balance — the result of her always showering her friends and family with gifts and adoration. She rarely, if ever, did anything for herself.

In July, 2003 my Mom was diagnosed with an unresectable malignant tumor of the pancreas. The decision was to pursue medical management. She was offered palliative chemotherapy. I immediately flew out to NY to meet the rest of the family and assist with her care.   I will never forget sitting with my Mom in her hospital room as we looked over the trees and well-manicured lawn outside of her room. My Mom had been a nurse for 45 years or so and had taken care of patients with her very same diagnosis more times than she would have cared to admit. As her youngest son and physician, and her as a nurse with years of experience with patients who had faced what she was now ultimately facing herself, our conversation was brief and to the point. Between myself and her other physician sons, we had teams awaiting her arrival for further intervention (at that time all palliative and relatively hopeless)— all she had to do is say the word. “Take me home Petee. I want quality over quantity. I want to enjoy my grandchildren,” she said to me as I held her hand and she looked straight into my eyes. We took her home, set up Hospice care, and with the help of hired round-the-clock assistance and many of her nursing colleagues, gave her as much comfort and dignity that such a process could possibly allow. She passed away 7 shorts weeks from her day of diagnosis.

My sister had known Lisa, the Executive Director of the Hirshberg Foundation through a mutual friend. At a wedding in 2005 they were chatting about kids and about our mom’s short battle with pancreatic cancer when Lisa told us all about the Hirshberg Foundation and about the LA Cancer Challenge. We were hooked from that moment and started spreading the word that TEAM TRUDY was going to be represented each year at the LA Cancer Challenge.   Our family of course remembers my Mom on her birthday and we re-live her passing on the anniversary of her death each year. To be perfectly honest, our biggest day is the LACC each October. It is at this event that we honor her life and put forth whatever effort we can in order to see that her struggle with pancreatic cancer was not in vain.

Team Trudy at the LA Cancer Challenge is a collaborative effort by family and friends. My sister started things in motion with Lisa. A good friend who adored my Mom came up with the t-shirt design and then we registered for the event in 2005. The rest is history. To date Team Trudy has raised over $40,000 for pancreatic cancer research. We are focused on doing whatever it is we can do to raise awareness.

What I have realized in re-visiting the life of this wonderful woman, is that her life and untimely death has changed me forever. My heart aches every day in knowing that I can’t pick up the phone and call her like I did when she was alive. As trite and cliche as it sounds, a part of me died the day she left us. Anger, selfishness and frustration get the better of me on many a day. Even on my best day, I cannot even come close to exhibiting the elegance and dignity that this woman did every day until she passed away. But, I will keep trying. Our Mom was a truly remarkable woman. In reflecting on her life and in honoring her, we honor all who have been lost.

By Janet Francis

The 6th Annual Thrill In Da-Ville 5K was held on Saturday, August 30^th 2014 and there was quite a turn out with faces new and old… or should I say veteran faces! This was the first year with our very own banner! And have I mentioned over $15,000 has been raised so far?

We tossed t-shirts after the medal presentations and “Tribble Funnies Awards,” and the raffle was HUGE! Congratulations to all who participated and a very heartfelt thank you to all who sponsored this event or made a donation.

I am humbled by the outpouring of love from everyone who came to help us celebrate the life of two very special people: Nancy Tribble and Larry Lindquist. Thanks to everyone for your help with this most worthy cause.

Set your calendars! September 5, 2015 is the 7th Annual Thrill In Da-Ville 5K in Dawsonville, Georgia! #ThrillInDaVille2015

By Sarah Banks

In 2012, we featured a story about Brad Dal Bon and the annual golf tournament his family hosts in memory of both his parents. We are happy to share that just two years later, the Dal Bon Memorial Golf Tournament has raised nearly $30,000! The event has become a tradition and a way for their family to “catch up on a yearly basis.” Brad and his wife Amy organize the golf tournament for 75 golfers, plan activities for the day of and collect raffle prizes from community sponsors all in midst of their busy lives with two sons. Their commitment is being passed on, “Having our sons see how passionate we are about this helps them want to get involved in the future,” writes Brad. And it isn’t just the Dal Bon family that has been inspired. “The community involvement with sponsors, golfers and friends has been amazing.” In regards to next year, Brad states, “Obviously, the cause is very important… We are just looking forward to year 7! “

By Elissa Oblath

Among the many amazing events hosted by our passionate supporters to benefit our foundation during 2014, the June 8^th Cooking for a Cure stands out as the tastiest. Plan Check Bar + Kitchen graciously offered a wonderful setting and Executive Chef Ernesto Uchimira welcomed a dazzling array of fellow chefs to serve up delicious bites. Joining chef Ernesto were “Top Chef” champ Michael Voltaggio, chef Josef Centeno of Bäco Mercat & Bar Ama fame, award-winning BierBeisl Chef/Owner Bernhard Mairinger, Waterloo & City chef and a food TV rising star Brendan Collins and James Beard-nominated culinary masters Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo.

Held to benefit pancreatic cancer research, with an emphasis on the emotional support provided by the Hirshberg Foundation’s relationship to the Simms-Mann Center at UCLA, the event raised over $17,000. The event board, a passionate group of friends including Jeff Price, Terry Heller, Joey Leff, Jessica Sorgini and Gay Harwin, came together to support a friend currently in treatment.

From Voltaggio’s delicate asparagus with horseradish powder and caviar to Shook & Dotolo’s crispy-skinned and juicy smoked chicken leg to Uchimura’s creamy cheesy grits topped with the perfect egg and fresh green peas, there was something for everyone. Centeno brought a burrito twist on his signature bäco with pork asada and beef albondigas with a creamy tomato sauce and just the right heat. Collins’ veal tongue with uni on a dark toast topped with apricots and a porcini was a crowd favorite for its play on textures and strong flavors. Mairinger’s sous chef came prepared with his purple apron to serve up seared duck breast appropriately paired with a purple cabbage salad. With the windows open and a summer breeze, the intimate afternoon allowed participants to mingle with chefs and friends while supporting pancreatic cancer. A Tito’s Vodka, watermelon and mint passed punch was available as well as specialty jalapeno-infused cocktail by Livigni + Moix and Matthew Biancaniello’s famous Breeder’s Cup. To say the afternoon was a culinary adventure is to say the least! But to think that it all benefited pancreatic cancer patients was the most delicious part of it all.