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HIRSHBERG FOUNDATION FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH Foundation Newsletter WINTER 2012

Agi’s Message about the foundation Founded in 1997, the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing pancreatic cancer research, and providing information, resources and support to pancreatic cancer patients and their families. DIRECTORS & Trustees Agi Hirshberg, President & Founder Lisa Manheim, Director Jon Hirshberg, Trustee Michael Berliner, Trustee Stephen C. Prince, CPA Michael Scott, ESQ Lisa Fletcher, Trustee

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD Vay Liang W. Go, MD, Chair Laszlo G. Boros, MD Murray Korc, MD Laurence J. Miller, MD

Foundation Mission statement To find a cure for pancreatic cancer in honor of Ron Hirshberg and the thousands of people who are diagnosed with this disease each year. To create a premier Pancreatic Cancer Center where all needs of pancreatic cancer patients can be met in one location with the most advanced treatment options. To be recognized as a patient support reference source for pancreatic cancer patients and their families. To fund new projects and programs designed to improve patient care, treatment and, ultimately, pancreatic cancer survival rates.

Stephen J. Pandol, MD Howard A. Reber, MD Lee S. Rosen, MD Diane M. Simeone, MD

To integrate and unite generations, young and old, through physical fitness participation, while creating public awareness and raising money to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

Cover Photo: Monje Photo Imaging Photos of Symposium, LACC and Hirshberg Training Team: ADH Photography

2990 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 300C • Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 473-5121 • (310) 473-5107 (fax) • www.pancreatic.org

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e published our first newsletter many years ago, in order to report our research progress and connect with the wonderful families who have joined our efforts to fight the battle against pancreatic cancer. You may remember the early days when 4-6 pages covered a year’s worth of activities. You have also watched our newsletter grow, with the number of pages now resembling a short novel! Our scientific programs and family fundraising events have escalated to the point where a single annual newsletter is insufficient in keeping everyone updated with our progress. For the first time in our 15 year history, our newsletter is now bi-annual. This has been another extraordinary year! The results of our Seed Grant Program have been instrumental in generating the data necessary to be able to apply for multi-disciplinary center grants, funded by National Cancer Institute. Scientists and clinicians from surgery, oncology, pathology, dentistry, molecular imaging and bio-informatics are collaborating on large scale, multi-year and multi-million dollar studies. Many of you have asked me over the years “Why is there no collaboration?” Collaboration is here now on a huge scale, between departments and between Universities. In this issue, we feature a newly received grant by Dr. Guido Eibl, from UCLA, a grant that exemplifies a dream come true for me personally. We partnered with Cancer Care, Inc., in New York many years ago, to assist with our Patient Benefits Program. With our annual funding, financial assistance was provided to 280 patients from 44 states. At the core of my dedication is providing referrals to doctors and treatment centers for

newly diagnosed patients. Happy tears surface when we are able locate the best doctors for patients from all corners of the world. I am grateful to all the doctors I meet through medical seminars that I attend during the year; fast response is what we ask for and what we get. Many of our readers know the frustration and emotional stress of waiting for that appointment, where a hope of survival may exist. We want to eliminate that frustration. Many special people have become my Hirshberg Foundation “family” over the years. Our fundraising and educational events bring us together and together we create a powerful message of determination to the world. In this issue a handful of families are highlighted and wonderful stories are told by friends who have created events in their own communities to raise money, awareness and remember our loved ones! This year, cancer has invaded my family once again. Breast cancer this time, but we know the cure rate is positive and possible. The startling cancer-rate increase continues to be frightening for all cancers. Therefore, our research efforts must also include preventative studies. My grateful appreciation to all the families who have committed their time, money and efforts until we can all expect a cancer-free life!

Agi Hirshberg, President & Founder

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foundation events for 2013 foundation newsletter - winter 2012 in this issue: 2

foundation mission statement

agi’s message

foundation events for 2013

Medical & Research Updates

9th Annual Hirshberg Symposium on Pancreatic Cancer

Hirshberg Training Team Runs L.A. Marathon

Saturday, January 26, 2013 Los Angeles, California

Sunday, March 17, 2013 Los Angeles, California

www.pancreatic.org/symposium

www.HirshbergTrainingTeam.com

You can h.e.l.p funds

Inaugural Tour de Pier

16th Annual L.A. Cancer Challenge

Awesome Aud’s Fund

Koplow Fund

Sunday, May 19, 2013 Manhattan Beach, California

Sunday, October 27, 2013 Los Angeles, California

www.TourdePier.com

www.LACancerChallenge.com

Minnelide: A Novel Drug for Pancreatic Cancer

Molecular alterations responsible for the development and progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

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Hillary Morgan visits Duke University

Ucla - hirshberg labatory Updates 10

Targeting diet-induced promotion of Kras-initiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma

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Sharing the UCLA Approach to Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Abroad

events spotlights 12

Rummaging to Fight Pancreatic Cancer: Foster the CURE

Car Wash for Papa Bruce

Fourth Annual Dal Bon Memorial Golf Tournament

Andy Peek Cattle Auction EVENT

2012 la cancer challenge 19

la cancer challenge recap

la cancer challenge participant spotlight

la cancer challenge Team Captain Highlight

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Attend an event

Looking for a way to get involved? We have activities across the country — check out our calendar of upcoming events! HELP us beat pancreatic cancer by attending an event near you. Visit www.pancreatic.org to learn more.

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medical & research Updates

Minnelide: A Novel Drug for Pancreatic Cancer

s is the case with many exciting discoveries, the revelation of Minnelide as a treatment for pancreatic cancer had almost accidental beginnings. While working on pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas, Dr. Saluja’s group observed that a certain protein called heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) protects pancreatic cells from death. They knew this was a protective protein, but little did they realize what implications this protein would have and how it would shape the direction of their research. Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest cancer, with a diagnosis essentially amounting to a death sentence. This year alone, some 44,000 Americans will be diagnosed with it and nearly that same number will lose their lives to it. The extremely high mortality rate is due to the fact that pancreatic cancer is difficult to identify until the disease

has reached advanced stages and also because its cells are abnormally resistant to chemotherapy and other conventional cancer treatments. Based on his research on HSP70 in pancreatitis, Dr. Saluja wondered if perhaps it was possible that pancreatic tumors do not die because they have too much of this protective protein (HSP70). Experiments in his laboratory proved his suspicion correct: HSP70 is indeed present at very high levels in pancreatic cancer cells. That being the case, he hypothesized that by inhibiting the production of HSP70 pancreatic cancer cells would be more vulnerable to death. However, no effective inhibitors of HSP70 in cancer cells were known to the scientific community at that time. In 2007, Dr. Saluja’s group was the first to publish findings that triptolide, a compound extracted from a Chinese plant, is an effective inhibitor of HSP70 and kills pancreatic tumor cells. Triptolide in its native form is not suitable as a drug because of problems associated with its delivery into the patient. The year before, Dr. Saluja’s group moved to the University of Minnesota where, in collaboration with Dr. Selwyn Vickers, and Dr. Gunda Georg of the Department of Medicinal

medical & research updates Chemistry, triptolide was modified into a new, injectable, water-soluble drug named “Minnelide” (Minnesota + Triptolide). Minnelide is very effective not only in killing pancreatic cancer cells grown on a plastic dish, but also in decreasing tumor burden in mice carrying tumors that have been implanted directly from patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic cancer. In one study, untreated mice with pancreatic tumors died within 45 days, whereas those treated with Minnelide lived out their normal life-spans of more than a year. Never before has

a drug been described that is so effective in preventing tumor formation and decreasing tumor burden in many different mouse models. This study has recently been accepted for publication in Science Translational Medicine, a very prestigious scientific journal. The success of this research is truly the result of a larger group effort and involved all members of the Saluja lab and numerous collaborators. Currently, excitement in the Saluja group is high as the first human trials of Minnelide start early next year. Dr. Saluja states, “I imagine that one day, in my lifetime, the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer will not be a death sentence.”

Dr. Saluja appreciates the early support he obtained from the Hirshberg Foundation. This support served as a cornerstone for funding obtained from the NIH ($2.6 million) and other sources ($2 million).

“I imagine that one day, in my lifetime, the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer will not be a death sentence.”

Dr. Saluja with his team

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medical & research updates

Molecular alterations responsible for the development and progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

he fourth leading cause of cancer mortality, pancreatic cancer accounts for approximately 40,000 deaths each year in the United States. It is a highly aggressive malignancy for which there are only limited treatment options of marginal benefit. The development of more effective treatments for this devastating disease primarily hinges on an improved understanding of the full complement of genetic and molecular events that drive pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis.

Towards this goal, recent deep sequencing efforts of the pancreatic cancer exome (the portion of the genome that encodes for genes) have shown that pancreatic cancer is genetically heterogeneous and complex. Each tumor averages mutations in more than 60 genes that differ considerably from one patient to the next. While these genetic changes are numerous and diverse, when integrated based on their functional activity they define thirteen core biological pathways uniformly altered in all pancreatic tumors. One of these core pathways is Wnt signaling, the primary focus of research in the laboratory of Dr. David Dawson, a gastrointestinal pathologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UCLA. Initially supported by a career development award from the American Association for Cancer Research/Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Dr. Dawson is a recent recipient of a highly competitive Research Scholars Grant from the American Cancer Society, which will allow him to continue his studies of Wnt signaling and its role in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

and translational research approach illustrates the evolving role of the clinician-scientist and pathologist in the utilization of new technologies and delivery of patient care in the 21st century.

Hilary Morgan visits Duke University to meet Seed Grant Recipient

The Wnt pathway is important for normal embryonic development, stem cell regeneration and the maintenance of healthy adult tissues. It is also abnormally regulated in many types of cancer. Having shown already that Wnt signaling promotes pancreatic cancer growth and spread, Dr. Dawson has begun to unravel the key genes and proteins responsible for inappropriately high levels of Wnt signaling in pancreatic cancer cells. This is a daunting task, as the Wnt pathway is extraordinarily complex with well over 100 genes and proteins known to dictate its levels of activation in various tissues and disease states. Although well-described mutations in a few key genes are responsible for abnormal Wnt activity in certain tumors such as colon cancer, these mutations are not seen in pancreatic cancer. Instead, he has identified alternative genes whose inappropriate expression results in elevated Wnt activity in pancreatic tumors. Taking advantage of his experience and exposure as a gastrointestinal pathologist in the Department, Dr. Dawson has also pursued translational work that has revealed the Wnt pathway to be a critical determinant of pancreatic cancer survival in the clinical setting. Based on this important observation, he is exploring how key molecular events responsible for altered Wnt pathway signaling in pancreatic cancer might be leveraged as useful clinical biomarkers and targets of drug therapy. In this regard, Dr. Dawson is pursuing the ultimate goal of “personalized medicine” in which patient-specific, targeted molecular therapy is used to effectively treat this highly lethal cancer. This basic

YOU CAN HOPE OR YOU CAN HELP ®

This article originally appeared in the UCLA Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Annual Report 2012 and is reprinted with their permission. The Hirshberg Foundation has supported Dr. Dawson’s research since 2007.

ilary Morgan has been a committed donor to our Foundation since her mom Rebecca was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008. She created a You Can Help Fund in memory of her mom, and incorporated the Hirshberg Wedding Program into her 2009 nuptials. She has twice been a member of the Hirshberg Training Team, participating in the LA Marathon after training in South Carolina and flying in for the event. This past year she even recruited her husband to run with her on the marathon course. Clearly, Hilary, who is a teacher by profession, is committed to finding a cure.

When possible, we like to arrange for interested donors to visit a Seed Grant Recipient that is conducting his or her work in their vicinity. We recently asked Hilary Morgan to visit Dr. Stephan D. Kendall at Duke University Medical Center to follow up on his funded seed grant project. In 2011, Dr. Kendall was awarded a grant for his research titled: “Using genetically-engineered mouse models to evaluate the role of macrophages in pancreatic tumorigenesis.” After Hilary and her Dad made the trip to Duke this past August, Hilary described her visit to us. “What a great experience! We learned so much! I am so amazed and appreciative of the work he is doing. We cannot thank you enough for giving us this opportunity to learn.” Hilary then informed us that this visit was just the beginning. She and Dr. Kendall made plans to film a video message for Hilary’s students in the Lexington School District One. She explained, “Our high schools have “centers” that students can choose to attend based on their career paths. One of our high schools houses the Center of Public Health and Advanced Medical Studies. I am sure he will inspire several students to follow in his career path.” continued  Video conference with Dr. Kendall and students at Lexington School District One

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UCLA-Hirshberg Laboratory Updates Hilary did not waste time in making sure the opportunity for her students to hear from Dr. Kendall came to fruition. Early in November, Dr. Kendall spoke via video-conference with approximately 70 students and faculty at the school where she teaches. Hilary described the event as “a powerful learning experience” for these students to talk with Dr. Kendall, who discussed his career and also answered questions. In the hour long conference students learned about pancreatic cancer and received great advice for their futures. Hilary continued, “I cannot adequately describe how meaningful this experience was for everyone. Dr. Kendall provided us

with an opportunity for students to see the big picture and the relevance of the content they are learning. I know he inspired many to follow in a similar career path. It’s amazing how an opportunity the Hirshberg Foundation gave me to meet a grant recipient led to another opportunity to impact so many people. Thank you for providing this opportunity!” We are thankful for those supporters like Hilary who are committed to our cause. If you are interested in visiting with a Seed Grant recipient in your area, please contact the Foundation. The pancreatic cancer community needs everyone to stay committed to our cause and to learn along with us.

Targeting diet-induced promotion of Kras-initiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma Enrique Rozengurt, PhD Ronald S. Hirshberg Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Under the leadership of Dr. Guido Eibl, the Pancreatic Cancer Research Team at UCLA recently was awarded a prestigious 5-year $7,000,000 Program Project Grant (P01) from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) entitled “Targeting diet-induced promotion of Kras-initiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma”. This highly collaborative, multidisciplinary research program is designed to make a significant impact on the investigation of diet and obesity in the promotion of pancreatic cancer. A detailed understanding of the mechanisms of action of a typical Western-style diet, rich in fats and calories, on pancreatic cancer development can form the rationale for biologically-based practices and scientifically-founded dietary recommendations in the prevention of this disease. The Program Project includes expertise from the UCLA campus, the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, and Cedars Sinai Medical Center. The Program is led by experienced pancreatic cancer researchers, who have organized investigative teams to develop highly interactive and synergistic research programs. The goal is to study the mechanisms, by which a Westernstyle diet, rich in fats and calories, promotes pancreatic cancer development and to explore interventional, cancer-preventing strategies. Innovative animal and cell culture models and novel concepts strongly supported by a wealth of preliminary data are proposed. A genetically engineered animal model will be utilized that replicates closely our current understanding of the cellular and molecular events leading to pancreatic cancer.

Individual projects focus on 1) inflammatory processes (Leader: Dr. Guido Eibl), 2) prevention of pancreatic cancer with anti-diabetic agents (Leader: Dr. Enrique Rozengurt), 3) cell death mechanisms in pancreatic Dr. Guido Eibl carcinogenesis (Leader: Dr. Anna Gukovskaya), and 4) alcohol abuse, metabolic syndrome, and scarring in pancreatic cancer (Leader: Dr. Stephen Pandol). The program grant has administrative support from Dr. Vay Liang W. Go. The proposed interventions include fish oil and Metformin which are currently widely used as either dietary supplements (fish oil) or has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of type-2 diabetes. Successful completion of these studies will have a strong translational impact for rapid implementation to patient care and general health promotion. The initial experiments that generated critical preliminary results were supported by a seed grant of the Hirshberg Foundation thus providing a striking example of the multiplicative effect of the Foundation’s Seed Grant Program.

UCLA-Hirshberg Laboratory Updates Sharing the UCLA Approach to Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Abroad Howard A. Reber, MD Director of Ronald S. Hirshberg Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory Dr. Howard A. Reber, UCLA’s senior pancreaticobiliary surgeon and the Director of both the Hirshberg Research Laboratory and the UCLA Center for Pancreatic Diseases has been travelling extensively in southeast Asia over the last year. In conjunction with the relationship recently established between the UCLA School of Medicine and Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China, a number of collaborative arrangements are underway. In September 2011, Professor Yulian Wu, Chief of the Department of General Surgery at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China visited the UCLA Pancreas Program, attended conferences devoted to pancreatic diseases, and observed Dr. Reber performing a number of operations for pancreatic cancer. This was followed in April 2012 by an international meeting devoted to the latest advances in pancreatic cancer that was held in Hangzhou, China. There Dr. Reber discussed the UCLA approach to pancreatic cancer treatment and especially its surgical management. A highlight of that visit was surgical rounds with the Chinese surgeons conducted by Dr. Reber at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University. After meeting some of the hospitalized patients and their families, Dr. Reber performed several pancreatic operations together with Professor Wu and her faculty. A program has now been established where young Chinese surgeons come to Los Angeles and spend three months at a time observing the UCLA approach to the management of patients with a variety of pancreatic diseases. Most recently in October of 2012, Dr. Reber was a featured speaker at an international symposium on pancreatic cancer in Kyoto, Japan. The meeting featured leaders in the field ranging from experts in basic science research, to experienced physicians and surgeons widely recognized for their treatment of the disease. One session was devoted to so-called

“down-staging” of the disease. In that situation, patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer that has grown to involve major blood vessels which makes the cancer unsuitable for surgery are treated with drugs and radiation. In some cases, the tumor may respond so well to this treatment, that surgery becomes possible, the tumor can be removed, and the patients may even be cured of the disease. Dr. Reber began this approach in 1992, and the UCLA surgeons have now accumulated one of the largest series of this type, with the best results. Dr. Reber also delivered the invited lecture titled: “Pancreatic Cancer: where we have been and where we are going,” which reviewed the history of the management of pancreatic cancer and discussed advances that might be anticipated over the near future.

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events spotlight Rummaging to Fight Pancreatic Cancer: Foster the CURE 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 welleducated 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!

events spotlight Car Wash for Papa Bruce 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.

“Rummaging for a Cure” started out as a simple rummage sale with 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.

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events spotlight

Fourth Annual Dal Bon Memorial Golf Tournament 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 hostThe Annual Dal Bon Memorial ing the 5th annual Dal Golf Tournament has raised Bon Memorial in 2013. It $20,000 to date for the is going to be our best yet. Hirshberg Foundation and it Come on up to beautiful continues to be a great success. Northern California and join us!”

Andy Peek Cattle Auction Event 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!

hen 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!

Visit www.teamdalbon.org today for more information on 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!

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You can h.e.l.p. funds

HIRSHBERG: ENCOURAGING LIMITLESS PHILANTHROPY

Kerstin had just had a very dear friend go through this exact same type of cancer and recommended my mother be transferred to UCLA Medical Center where she could receive proper treatment. My mom was accepted into their pancreatic cancer program and would be under the experienced care of Dr. Timothy Donahue. As you could expect my mom and dad were so thankful. My mother now had a fighting chance. That night my brother picked up Thanksgiving dinner and as a family we celebrated what we were thankful for: finding the cancer, getting into UCLA and our family being such a strong support system for one another. During a time of tragic news here we sat laughing and smiling like it was just another day, just in a hospital setting.

At the Hirshberg Foundation, our motto is ‘You Can Hope or You Can Help.’ We are asking for you to HELP. On our website we provide you with the tools to kickoff your own You Can H.E.L.P. Fund. Your Fund is a way for you to raise money to benefit pancreatic cancer research and patient care. Start your You Can H.E.L.P. Fund today and help support our relentless pursuit of a cure.

CELEBRATE

CHALLENGE

In December 2011, my mother was transferred to UCLA where she would be treated with the highest care possible. In a few weeks’ time, with her health improving, they would go ahead and remove the cancer tumor. Soon it was the big day, time to remove the cancer. The Whipple would take about 6 hours and was very high risk. Eight hours later Dr. Donahue came down stairs to find my family and let us know the news. The tumor was larger than they originally thought but they were able to remove the cancer. As of that moment mom had a great chance of surviving. Her life changed forever that day.

TRIBUTE

Awesome Aud’s Fund By Ashley Kahrs In October 2011, my mother, Audrey, was placed in the hospital for having a severe gallbladder attack. It was so infected the doctors made the decision to remove it. My mom had lost 15 pounds, was jaundiced and anemic and was getting worse every day. After spending over a month in the hospital post-surgery, her symptoms were finally getting better. My siblings and niece celebrated her birthday in the small hospital room. Finally she was well enough to have the all the pre-op tests and what they found was shocking. Thanksgiving morning 2011 my phone woke me up a bit after 6:30 a.m. My father, Anthony, was calling me, “Hi sweetheart. I need to tell you something. Mom has cancer. It’s pancreatic...” My heart dropped and the world around me was gone. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I screamed and burst into tears. I hung up the phone and balled my eyes out in my husband Andrew’s arms before I told him the news. We got out of bed and threw on whatever clothes we could find. Driving to the hospital, which was 5 minutes away, was a blur of emotions. When we walked into my mom’s room and she saw us we all started to cry. I crawled into my mom’s hospital bed and just hugged her. I couldn’t let her go. The room was filled with sadness and some

other undeterminable emotion. I now know that the emotion was the will to fight, to survive and beat this horrible cancer. Shortly after my brother, Scott, sister-in-law, Kerstin, and niece Jeanina filled the room with love and support. As a family we discussed the next steps to take. Doctor after doctor came in to talk to us about what they recommended. Everyone agreed she would need a surgery called “The Whipple,” which would remove the cancer, part of her pancreas, and the surrounding lymph nodes.

The past year my mother went through numerous rounds of chemo and radiation, suffered an umbilical hernia in two locations, has been on more medications that I can even remember. She has had test after test, CT scans, PET scans, weekly or daily doctor’s visits and through it all has never given up. I am pleased to say Audrey Ann Everts, wife, mother, friend is cancer free. She fought a hard long battle, went through hell and back a couple of times. My mom is my hero. I don’t know many people who could survive what she has.

Start a—You can h.e.l.p. fund You’ve hoped for a cure. Now HELP make that a reality. Start fundraising on behalf of the Hirshberg Foundation – by collecting donations from friends and family, you can HELP find a cure.

@ pancreatic.org

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YOU CAN HOPE OR YOU CAN HELP ®

Create A fund

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You can h.e.l.p. funds

L.A. Cancer Challenge

Koplow Fund By Leslie Koplow

y Dad, Michael Koplow, was diagnosed in July 2010 with pancreatic cancer. They discovered that he had a large tumor in the head of the pancreas, which had not yet metastasized. In typical Dad fashion, he took a weekend to absorb and process the information on his own, before breaking the news to his wife and kids.

As a man of science, and a mechanical engineer by trade, Dad attacked his disease with his full arsenal of tools - his ability to tackle complex projects, his research skills, his scientific knowledge, his patience, his fortitude and stoicism, his charm, and his ability to just “get things done.” He knew from the beginning that the statistics were not in his favor, but he was determined to get the best treatment he could and extend his life as long as possible while maintaining the quality of life he required. Years of hockey, tennis and basketball and his wife’s excellent cooking had him in good shape for the battle. For 20 months, he was able to stave off most of the disease’s effects, undergoing a Whipple operation attempt, 17 rounds of Gemcitabine (chemotherapy) and 2 rounds of Cyberknife (radiation). During that time, he was able to accomplish many of his end-of-life goals with help from dear friends and family, by

preparing he and his wife’s house for sale, buying and refinishing a new condominium apartment, visiting with all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren near and far, and managing his treatment with the help of his medical team. Dad was treated at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. He kept meticulous notes of his symptoms and treatments, and charted his CA-19 levels against the tumor’s size. He never showed any self-pity; his biggest worry was how his death would affect his family. It was only in the last two months, when his digestion became severely compromised by the tumor’s growth that he experienced pain and real debilitation. Once his options had run out for treatment, he quickly decided that he had no interest in lingering in an incapacitated state, and chose to withhold all measures that might extend his life. This is so in keeping with the man he was! He talked of his worry of “disrupting his children’s lives for too long” as we and his grandchildren all gathered in Boston to help in any way we could and be with him during this incredibly difficult time. He died a mere eight days later, very peacefully at home, surrounded by his children, Paul, Leslie, Hilarie, and Jeff, his dear wife Dottie, and his daughter-in-law Kathy.

he 15th anniversary of the LA Cancer Challenge was a milestone event that created awareness, raised funds and brought the pancreatic cancer community together. We increased the number of registered participants and broke a new event record for fundraising by surpassing $700,000. Furthermore, the funds raised brought the 15 year total raised to over $4 million dollars. The morning program was both celebratory and reflective. Hirshberg Seed Grant recipient Dr. Nathan Wall spoke to the crowd about what a single research grant meant to him and his laboratory team. Andrew Moy, a senior vice president and regional manager for Wells Fargo Global Banking, spoke on behalf of Wells Fargo, our presenting sponsor and gifted the Foundation with an jumbo check for $29,800. After the playing of our annual Team Tribute Video, runners and walkers headed to the start line for energizing warm-ups. The Honorary Starter for the 10K was Doug Atkin, Team Captain of Heather & Ten & CCJMT. A long time LACC Planning Committee member, Doug has also has been instrumental in the creation and growth of the Hirshberg Training Team. The Honorary Starter for the 5K was Dave Buchanan of the new team, Dave’s Wolfpack. Dave, a retired police officer, volunteer fire chief and paramedic, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. Special guests included MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” sixth season champion, Chachi Gonzales, who served as our Kids Can Cure hostess. We would like to extend an enormous thank you to everyone who ran, walked, donated, volunteered, cheered and supported our event. To view photos, check out race results or get more info, please visit www.LACancerChallenge.com. And save the date for the 16th annual LACC on Sunday, October 27, 2013!

He had an excellent relationship with his oncologist, Dr. Andrea Bullock, and her colleague, Dr. Jamie Potosek of Beth Israel Deaconess, and fully comprehended the challenges of pancreatic cancer. Unlike many other cancers for which treatments have been developed, pancreatic cancer remains inevitably fatal and difficult to treat effectively. We decided to create a You Can Help Fund Page in memory of dad because Dr. Bullock’s pancreatic cancer research was supported by the Hirshberg Foundation Seed Grant Program and thus Dad hoped that friends and family would contribute to this Fund in his memory and to help future patients diagnosed with this terrible disease.

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WWW.PANCREATIC.ORG

L.A. Cancer Challenge

Participant Spotlight: Jenny Bealmear 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 to 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 office! 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.

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 blue tutu for extra flare–she became our Wonder Woman.

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,

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Team Captain Highlight: Andrea Noriega “Dave’s Wolfpack The Law Dogs”

y name is Andrea. I’m the Team Captain for “Dave’s Wolfpack The Law Dogs” and I would like to share my story with you.

Usually, a story has a hero, a nemesis and a “happily ever after” ending. In order to tell my story I want you to know more about the main character, my personal hero and boyfriend, Dave. He has over 16 years in the U.S. Marine Corps; he is retired from a small police department in New Jersey; he was a volunteer fire chief and a paramedic. He was a part of the Ground Zero “rescue/recovery” team a couple of days after 9/11. He’s even a bagpiper and has performed for countless memorial services and never once has he asked to be compensated. In his words, “It’s the least I can do. It would be my honor.” Dave and I met through mutual friends on Facebook and began communicating on line and on the phone for the next six months. Then he made me an offer to fly me from my home town of L.A. out to his in New Jersey to take me to National Police Week in May, 2011. I accepted! It was the most honorable and moving event I had ever attended, and to top it off, I fell in love! Since then Dave and I have spent our time flying back and forth from our homes. We made plans for him to move to LA with his 10 year old son by the end of 2012. And in spring we planned to celebrate our first anniversary at the annual National Police Week in Washington, D.C. Unbeknownst to me, Dave was planning to propose marriage. This is where the nemesis came into play. A week prior to my visit, Dave was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. My world had fallen apart right before my eyes. I felt hopeless. After the diagnosis we both didn’t want to pretend everything was simply okay, so we postponed the engagement. Dave began treatment in Philadelphia. Back in Los Angeles, I feel into a deep depression and felt so useless to him. I started doing research online to see what the prognosis was and that was a HUGE mistake! Everything I read only pushed me further into my depression. I kept thinking, “Why would God allow me

After the LACC, Dave wrote the following on his Facebook page: “There have been days I just wanted to give up. It’s the love of Drea and my son Nick that keep me going. When Drea organized “Team Dave” for the LA Cancer Challenge, I saw all the love and support surrounding us. As some could see I simply couldn’t hold back the tears. I don’t think Drea knows just how special she really is and I have to say she truly is the love of my life. She has been my backbone through this journey and I love her with all my heart.” -Dave

to fall in love with a man that’s 2,740 miles away and then a year later he wants to take him away from me.” I continued researching information, support groups or anything that would give me some sense of hope. That is when I discovered the LA Cancer Challenge and the Hirshberg Foundation!

Honoring our Veteran Teams At this year’s 15th Annual LA Cancer Challenge, we chose to honor the 19 amazing teams that have been with us since at least 2005 (some as early as 2001!). These teams have been committed to honoring their loved ones and to fighting to find the cure. Words cannot express our deepest gratitude for their enduring commitment.

Without hesitation I signed up to participate in this 5K/10K in Dave’s honor. When my co-workers found out, they encouraged me to raise money and start a team. Initially I set my goal at $250, but I found myself increasing it to $1,500. As LACC fundraising began to wrap up, I’d raised over $1,900! I was hoping to have at least 25-30 team members and then I surpassed that goal and found that Dave’s Wolf Pack had grown 73 people strong! Recently, Dave had been responding very well to treatments. The tumor shrunk a great deal and he’d made great progress. Then on October 24th we were told he’s in remission. For Dave, a lot of it is mental though- he’s a fighter, he’s stubborn and he’s determined. He’s Dave! He has always kept his faith in God and this is what keeps him grounded and focused on winning this battle. Now we’re working towards our “happily ever after.” Dave is truly the love of my life and he is my personal hero and I want to thank him for fighting, never giving up and always staying positive. By joining the Hirshberg Foundation at the LACC, my goal was to prevent at least one person from enduring what Dave has, and to help prevent a family from watching a loved one fight for their life. I’d like to thank the Foundation for being angels, helping me with my team and offering support in every possible way. I will always admire this man for opting to go through with his treatments and fighting to stay alive for his son and myself. He constantly reminds me that he has cancer and that the cancer doesn’t have him.

Top Row, from left to right: Franka Chavez – Franka ChavezRodriguez; Team Bernie - Allison Miller; Team Jerry Jacobs – Lois Jacobs; Henderson 57 - Kelly Heard; Team Mar10/Jr286 Martin Fung; Mark Galton - Shelby Galton; Stan the Man - Wendy Schroeter; Bruno’s Bunch - Jackie Katz & Margot Katz; Team Kmiotek - Melonie Kmiotek & Staci Schechtman; Hughes Hugs Teresa Hughes-Velona.

Bottom Row, from left to right: Team Rose Toomey – Tom Toomey & Karen Wooldridge; Team Raul “Freddie” Garcia - Katrina Garcia; Team Trudy – Kris Yellin; Lisa Manheim; Agi Hirshberg. Absent from photo: Myrna’s Love and Light - Amy Reiss; Heather & TEN & CCJMT - Doug Atkin; Team Bill Maltz - Brandon Friedman; Miles for Mildred - Ilyssa Abaranok; Big Red - Tammy Gotzinger.

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23 WWW.PANCREATIC.ORG

HIRSHBERG FOUNDATION FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH

2990 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 300C • Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310) 473-5121 • (310) 473-5107 (fax) • www.pancreatic.org

choose your distance:

Run the L.A. Marathon or two-person half marathon relay with us and we will help you cross the finish line. Every step you take towards the finish line helps us cure pancreatic cancer.

26.2

full marathon

13.1

half marathon relay

www.hirshbergtrainingteam.com or volunteer to cheer Join us as we host the Purple People Cheer Party along the marathon route to encourage the 25,000 runners participating in the LA Marathon.