NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle resident Venessa Muoio will join more than 8,000 tri-state area residents as she honors her father by participating in The Lustgarten Foundation’s 15th annual Long Island Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk. The walk will be held on Sunday, October 11, at Jones Beach.
The Lustgarten Foundation is the nation’s largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research. Due to Cablevision’s support of The Lustgarten Foundation, 100 percent of every dollar that Venessa and her fellow walkers raise will go directly to pancreatic cancer research.
Venessa’s father Frank had always been in great health, but in 2003 he suddenly woke up with jaundiced eyes and was so fatigued, he could not get off the couch. After a trip to the hospital, Venessa and her family were shocked to discover he had pancreatic cancer, a disease they knew nothing about. Desperate for a way to help him, Venessa searched online and discovered The Lustgarten Foundation and its Long Island Walk. She immediately signed up with her friends to create Team “Frank’s Fighters” and attend the walk for the first time. Afterwards, Venessa was able to share with her father how she felt so moved by the thousands of people uniting to beat this disease and he told her how proud he was of her efforts. Sadly, he passed away two weeks later, just three months after his diagnosis. At 25, Venessa no longer had a father, but she has continued his battle by participating in the Long Island Walk every year since, determined to make a difference.
Venessa believes that participating in the walk is a moving and inspirational way to honor her father. And for Venessa, it is also fulfilling to know that 100 percent of all money she raises goes directly to pancreatic cancer research.
Kerri Kaplan, executive director and chief operating officer, The Lustgarten Foundation, said: “We are so inspired by participants like Venessa who take part in the Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk each year to honor the memory of a loved one lost to this disease. And we are grateful that Venessa continues to walk and raise awareness in the spirit of hope that, together we are one step closer to a cure.”
The Lustgarten Foundation’s Long Island Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk at Jones Beach will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 11, with registration starting at 8:00 a.m.
To Register to walk click here