Narly 300 community members gathered at Westchester Community College for the 17th annual Lustgarten Foundation Westchester Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research, presented by the Northwell Cancer Institute. Together, participants surpassed $129,000 in fundraising to fuel life-saving pancreatic cancer research.
Since its inception, the Westchester Walk has raised over $5.1 million, 100% of every dollar going directly to science.
“We are at a pivotal moment in pancreatic cancer research, and communities like Westchester are helping make this progress possible,” said Linda Tantawi, CEO of the Lustgarten Foundation. “Together, we are fueling the science behind life-saving breakthroughs and bringing new hope to patients and families affected by this devastating disease.”
Keyur Thakar, MD, MPH, medical director of hematology and medical oncology at Northwell’s Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, delivered remarks during the opening ceremony. He then introduced his patient, Sharon Bond, a six-year pancreatic cancer survivor and Dobbs Ferry resident.
“The reason I am standing here today is because of excellent medicine, and that starts with excellent research,” Sharon told the crowd at the Westchester Walk. “I’m grateful to be here, and I’m grateful that the Northwell Health Cancer Institute at Phelps Hospital exists in our community.”
Dr. Thakar oversaw Sharon’s care, which included surgery to remove her pancreas, spleen and 25 lymph nodes, followed by three months of chemotherapy. Amid her own battle, she lost both a sister and a close friend to pancreatic cancer. Nearly six years post-treatment, Sharon continues to thrive, profoundly grateful for her journey and her health.
“As a medical oncologist, I know firsthand the profound challenges that pancreatic cancer presents,” Dr. Thakar said. “It is a formidable disease, but through relentless research and dedicated care, we are making progress. Every patient and every family I work with becomes my reason to keep going. We’re developing new treatments, improving diagnostic tools, and at Phelps Hospital we’re integrating innovative programs like lifestyle medicine to support our patients’ full well-being.”
Sharon and Dr. Thakar were joined by Ramanathan M. Seshadri, MD, surgical oncologist at Northwell’s Danbury and Norwalk hospitals, who emphasized the importance of advancing pancreatic cancer research, expanding access to specialized and multidisciplinary care close to home. He also spoke about the collective impact of community support in improving outcomes for patients and families affected by the disease.
A disease in urgent need of attention
Pancreatic cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. This year, approximately 2,930 New Yorkers will die from this disease – most blindsided by a late-stage diagnosis with few treatment options. But there is hope. The 5-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients has more than tripled since the Lustgarten Foundation was founded in 1998, climbing from just 4% to 13%. The Foundation’s strategic partnerships with institutions like Northwell Health Cancer Institute and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory are accelerating progress, bringing new treatments to patients faster and improving outcomes.
For those interested in supporting the Westchester Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the event registration page, as well as individual and team fundraising pages, will remain open throughout 2026.
