Joey Oates Annual Golf Tournament
Benefiting the
Pancreatic Cancer Alliance
has been postponed
Joey Oates was just 45 years old when pancreatic cancer took him on April 17, 2008. His family has organized this tournament to fight pancreatic cancer and to keep his courageous memory alive.
Tournament, which had been scheduled for August at Mount Pleasant Country Club, 369 Cross Street, Boylston, Massachusetts, has been postponed. Check back to this page for updates.
If interested in learning more, please email us at OatesTourney @ PancreaticAlliance.org
8th Annual 5K Police Chase
in Memory of Sgt. William Kirby
Benefiting the
Pancreatic Cancer Alliance
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Marlborough Police Patrol Officers Association is
sponsoring its 8th Annual 5 K Police Chase in memory of Sgt. William Kirby. the event is open to one and all. Post-race Activities will include a cook-out, kids activities, live bands and raffles. But please, no pets allowed!
New location!!
Moose Lodge, 67 Fitchburg St., Marlborough
Cost: $12 in advance, $15 day of race
Time: 11 am, September 13
Please Make Checks Payable To: MPPOA
355 Bolton Street
Marlborough, Ma
Attn: Officer Patrick Hogan
Questions: Call (508) 485-1212
Or E-Mail:
doak8@hotmail.com
Click here for
Kirby Police Chase registration form (pdf)
Click here for event page
Ongoing programs
Pansies for Progress
Celebrate spring and help fund pancreatic cancer research
Join the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance and participating garden centers and help fight pancreatic cancer.
Each year a portion of the pansy sales will be donated to support groundbreaking research to fight pancreatic cancer at UMass Medical School in Worcester:
2008 participants
Millbury Women's Club, Bells Lawn and Garden Center201A Auburn Street, Auburn, Massachusetts, Sposato's Flower Shop
271 Harrington Way, Worcester, Massachusetts, Bemis Farms Nursery
29 N Brookfield Rd, Spencer, Grafton Town Common
Full details for Pansies for Progress
Want your garden center to participate in 2009 or conduct a workplace campaign (taking orders in advance)? Click here for the details on the program. Questions? Please email Mary Beth Curnen and Amy Gavalis: pansies@pancreaticalliance.org.
Also, thanks to the Central Massachusetts Flower Show and Pat Hoey and the staff of Pat Hoey Productions for helping us bring word of the program to the public.
Research Bears Fruit!
Bill Bigelow (r) receives plaque from Alliance members Dick and Hilda Sweeney after conclusion of first year of the program. Bigelow Nurseries is generously continuing to raise money to fight pancreatic cancer through 2008.
Celebrate life and beauty and help fund pancreatic cancer research
Join the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance and Bigelow Nurseries and help fight pancreatic cancer.
Buy flowering crabapple trees at Bigelow Nurseries and a portion of the sales will be donated to support groundbreaking research to fight pancreatic cancer at UMass Medical School in Worcester.
Bigelow Nurseries, Inc.
455 West Main Street, Northboro, Massachusetts
Why crabapple trees? Planting a tree is a promise to the future, and flowering crabapples become more beautiful with each passing year as the branches spread and the blossoms multiply. And investments in pancreatic cancer research are also gifts to the future with the promise of finding early detection tests, more effective treatments and ultimately a cure.Sell Bigelow-grown flowering crabapple trees at your garden center, and you'll help, too. Questions? Please email Mary Beth Curnen crabapples@pancreaticalliance.org. Thank you.
Past events
Motorcycle Ride in Memory of Chris Lesperance
Was held Saturday, May 31, 2008: This 3rd annual motorcycle ride through the New England countryside raised money for pancreatic cancer research at UMass Memorial Cancer Center. It left from Pine Tree Concrete Products, 151 Lincoln Street, Millville, and ended with a cookout at Sayles Hill Rod & Gun Club, North Smithfield, RI. For background on the ride ride just click here or email CycleforChris@PancreaticAlliance.org if you'd like to participate next year.
2nd Annual Block Five 5K & Block Party
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Block Five Bistro 139 Green St. Worcester, MassachusettsBlock Five held its 2nd annual Block Five 5K race, fun walk & block party. Click here for complete Block Five 5K details
Proceeds from the event benefited the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance.
In two short years, the Block 5 Bistro 5K has not only become one of Worcester’s premier fun-filled running events but has done a stellar job raising funds for pancreatic cancer research, from a Telegram & Gazette story about the event.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETTY & FRIENDS
A Gala Event Celebrating the Life of Legendary Jazz Vocalist
BETTY CARTER
Featuring international jazz sensation SHAWNN MONTEIRO
The Pancreatic Cancer Alliance presented a gala evening of food, music and champagne on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, beginning at 6 pm in the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, at 10 Lincoln Square in downtown Worcester. “Happy Birthday, Betty & Friends” celebrated the life and legend of GRAMMY Award-winning jazz vocalist BETTY CARTER, who died 10 years ago of pancreatic cancer and would have been 78 years old on May 16th. Performing that evening was internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist SHAWNN MONTEIRO, backed by the Russ Hoffmann Trio. Shawnn also brought down the house at the PCA’s very first Betty Carter Tribute in 2004.
Full details for Happy Birthday Betty & Friends
All proceeds from "Happy Birthday, Betty & Friends" benefited the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester.
Presenting sponsors
Sponsors
Austin Liquors,
Kurlan Music,
Miles Press,
Something Sweet by Michelle,
Telegram & Gazette,
UMass Memorial Foundation,
and
WICN Radio
Mezcal Tequila Cantina preview
Mezcal Tequila Cantina
166 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts
The great folks from Mezcal hosted a special preview to benefit the Alliance. Event featured samplings from their great menu, tequila concoctions and great salsa and guacamole.
Donation: $50
Mezcal is the latest venture of our friends at Block 5 Bistro, which ran its first annual Block Five 5K race, fun walk & block party to raise money for pancreatic cancer research in June 2007.
For more information:
email RSVP@nichehospitality.com
7th Annual Marlborough Police Department 5K Police Chase/1K Family Fun Walk
The Marlborough Police Patrol Officers Association sponsors this event in memory of Sgt. William Kirby, who died of pancreatic cancer shortly after retiring from the force. Proceeds from the event benefit pancreatic cancer research through the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance.
2007's event took place Saturday, Sept. 15, from the Marlboro Fish & Game Club off Elm Street
Photo gallery from the 2007 police chase.
1st Annual Block Five 5K & Block Party
Sunday, June 24, 2007 | 11:00 am
Mike Covino (center) of Block 5 presents a check to (from left) Tom Cole, chair, Audrey-Kurlan Marcy, co chair, of the Alliance and Dr. Jennifer Tseng, Pancreatic Cancer Alliance Scholar at UMass. Block Five Bistro 139 Green St. Worcester, Massachusetts
Block Five held its first annual Block Five 5K race, fun walk & block party in memory of Barbara Jean Gray, the mother of a valued Block 5 employee and a victim of pancreatic cancer. Click here for complete Block Five 5K details
Proceeds from the event benefited the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance and Worcester’s Hope Lodge.
Photo gallery from the inaugural Block Five 5K.
Motorcycle Ride in Memory of Chris Lesperance
Was held Saturday, June 2, 2007: This motorcycle ride through the New England countryside raised money for pancreatic cancer research at UMass Memorial Cancer Center. It left from Pine Tree Concrete Products, 151 Lincoln Street, Millville, and ended with a cookout at the Pot Belly Pub, 187 Main St., Millville. For background on the ride ride just click here or email CycleforChris@PancreaticAlliance.org if you'd like to participate next year.
Sweet sensations
Great evening featured WICN jazz host Tyra Penn, a great singer,
the multi-talented force Jerry Seeco on trumpet, flute and vocals, and the outstanding Jim Rice on pianoThe event on Monday, May 7th featured a delicious buffet dinner from Viva Bene, music, silent auction, and sweet delights from Something Sweet and A Basket Case
Viva Bene Italian Ristorante, 144 Commercial St., Worcester
A complimentary glass of champagne will be waiting for you
Tickets: $35 advance, $40 at door • Free garage parking (next door) Patron: $100 (includes two tickets) (Make Sweet Sensations an early Mother’s Day celebration!)
For tickets and information: please email jazz@pancreaticalliance.org -->
All proceeds benefited the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at UMass Medical School.
Presenting sponsor
Sponsors
Kurlan Music,
Miles Press,
Something Sweet by Michelle,
Telegram & Gazette,
UMass Memorial Foundation,
Westboro Toyota and
WICN Radio
Pansies for progress, 2007 sponsors
Thanks to these garden centers for helping the cause
Russell’s Garden Center
397 Boston Post Road, Wayland, Massachusetts
Sposato's Flower Shop
271 Harrington Way Worcester, Massachusetts
Bells Lawn and Garden Center
201A Auburn Street, Auburn, Massachusetts
Big Band Blast
A big band celebration remembering three greats taken too soon by pancreatic cancer:
Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie and Betty Carter.
Thanks also to our hosts Foothills Theatre and Viva Bene restaurant.
Sponsored by
Worcester Foothills Theatre, Viva Bene Restaurant, WICN Radio, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, UMass Memorial Foundation, and Miles Press.
Pansies for progress
Buy pansies, fund research! Two great garden centers donated a portion of their pansy sales on select days to support pancreatic cancer research. Please thank:
Bells Lawn and Garden Center
201A Auburn Street, Auburn, Massachusetts
and
Russell’s Garden Center 397 Boston Post Road, Wayland, Massachusetts,
for so graciously hosting and supporting us.
Pancreatic cancer symposium
To mark the opening of the Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology at UMass Memorial Cancer Center an evening symposium was held Wednesday, April 19, at UMass. Highlights included:
- The introduction of the first Pancreatic Cancer Alliance Scholar, whose work is directly supported by our fundraising
- A presentation by Jennifer F. Tseng, M.D., of UMass on the "Whipple Revisited — Making More Patients Resectable"
- A keynote address from Malcolm J. Moore, M.D. of Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, entitled "The Chronicles of Pancreas Cancer — What Have We Learned?" .
Marathon for research
Boston Marathon: Kevin Brennan ran in memory of Fran Marcy of Hopkinton to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. Click here for a pledge sheet to help support him in this tremendous (and generous) effort.
Motorcycle Ride in Memory of Chris Lesperance
Saturday, May 20, 2006: Raised money for pancreatic cancer research at UMass Memorial Cancer Center on this motorcycle ride through the New England countryside leaving from Pine Tree Concrete Products, 151 Lincoln Street, Millville, and ending with a cookout at the Pot Belly Pub, 187 Main St., Millville. For information on next year's ride just email CycleforChris@PancreaticAlliance.org
Remembering Dizzy Gillespie
George J. Couto Memorial Tournament
The third George Couto 
Memorial Golf Tournament was held at the Hyannis Golf Club on Sept. 18, 2005.
George Couto died of pancreatic cancer at 39 in 2002. The tournament is organized by George's 
2004s event was held at Ocean Edge Golf Resort, Brewster, Mass., sponsored by the Cape Cod 5 Cents Savings Bank. Dr. Dario Altieri spoke at the banquet, where pancreatic cancer survivor Cindy Ducharme was an honored guest. Click here for a few photos.
5th Annual Marlborough Police Department 5K Police Chase/1K Family Fun Walk
The Marlborough Police Patrol Officers Association sponsors this event in memory of Sgt. William Kirby, who died of pancreatic cancer shortly after retiring from the force. Proceeds from the event benefit pancreatic cancer research through the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance. The 2005 eventtook place Sept. 10.
2nd Annual Remembering Betty Carter
Remembering Betty Carter celebrated the great jazz vocalist Betty Carter, who died from pancreatic cancer, as did her sister. Betty Carter was that rare talent, considered to be a fellow musician by those in the band, not just a "singer." Many know her best from her definitive duet with Ray Charles of "Baby It's Cold Outside," but she broke much ground in her long career.
The Tuesday, May 24, 2005, event featured music from three members of the outstanding jazz vocal quartet Syncopation: Jeremy Ragsdale, Christy Bluhm, and Christine Fawson (at right).
They were accompanied by the Mark Shilansky Trio.
This event was made possible in part through the generosity of our sponsors: Fallon Community Health Plan, Charter Communications, WICN Public Radio, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and Union Blues.
Symposium
Symposium on
Progress in the Diagnosis and Management
of Pancreatic Cancer
The UMass Memorial Cancer Center and
the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance
sponsored this important event.
Wed., Nov. 10, 6-8:30 pm.Current status of imaging and intervention
Dushyant Sahani, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital
Advances in surgical management
Dana Andersen, MD, UMass Medical School
Keynote Address:
The molecular biology of pancreatic cancer:
opportunities for therapeutic intervention
James L. Abbruzzese, MD, The University of Texas,
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Click here for pdf of invitation. More than 70 people attended. Event was held in Lazare Research Building, UMass Medical School 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, Massachusetts.
Remembering Dizzy Gillespie, 2004
A birthday concert
for Dizzy Gillespie,
taken too soon by
pancreatic cancer,
in honor of Emil Haddad. 
More than 250 people celebrated the music and birthday of Dizzy
Gillespie with the renowned
Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra directed
by Greg Hopkins playing Dizzy’s original big band
charts, the Dick Odgren Quartet with trumpter Bill Fanning recalling the classic "Dick & Emil" sound with Eric Nebbia on drums and Bob Simonelli on bass, and
the Algonquin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dennis Wrenn.
Sadly, trumpet great Emil Haddad, who
was to play, was taken by cancer just weeks ago.
Monday, Oct. 18 • Foothills Theatre, Worcester
Reception featured hors d’oeuvres by Viva Bene (formerly Shorah's Ristorante).
Sponsored by Worcester Foothills Theatre, Shorah's Ristorante, Charter Communications, WICN Radio, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and the International Association for Jazz Education.
4th Annual Marlborough Police Department 5K Police Chase/Family Day
The Marlborough Police Patrol Officers Association sponsored Sept. 11, 2004, event in memory of Sgt. William Kirby to benefit pancreatic cancer research through the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance. The race took place at the Marlborough Fish & Game club.
Click here for race results.
The Pancreatic Cancer Alliance had a table at the event, and several members ran. Click here for a few photos.
Read a news story here: Police Chase honors Marlborough officer: Money raised will stay closer to home, MetroWest Daily News
Remembering Betty Carter
Remembering Betty Carter celebrated the great jazz vocalist Betty Carter, who died from pancreatic cancer. A sold out crowd attended the event on May 12, 2004, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Union Blues jazz club in Worcester, Mass., in the Union Station train station. Vocalists Toni Ballard, Monica Hatch, Shawnn Monteiro and Donna McElroy were accompanied by the Paul Schmeling Trio.This event was made possible in part through the generosity of our sponsors: the College of the Holy Cross, Charter Communications, WICN Public Radio, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and Union Blues.
Diamond Century for PanCan
A great 100-mile bike ride through Central Massachusetts left from Institute Park in Worcester on Sunday, August 1, 2004. The event was held to honor Richard Diamond, who died of pancreatic cancer in May.
Money from the event was donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Click here for details.
