Nicole Tuscano of Howell lost her mother, Cleo, who was her best friend, in 2008 to a disease many people do not know much about. On May 31, Tuscano will honor her mother’s memory.
Tuscano, 33, has once again teamed up with the Lustgarten Foundation to host a memorial pancreatic cancer research walk at Monmouth University, West Long Branch. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the walk will start at 10 a.m.
All money raised from the event will be donated to the foundation that helps raise funds that are used for research into the disease. The Lustgarten Foundation is the largest private, nonprofit supporter of pancreatic cancer research in the United States.
“The Lustgarten Foundation has been a great supporter of the walk I organize, and the foundation has raised so much money toward the fight for a cure,” Tuscano said.
To participate in the walk, visit lustgarten.org and click on “Get Involved” and “Pancreatic Cancer Walks and Runs,” and locate the Monmouth walk. Participation in the walk requires a minimum donation of $50.
Volunteers are welcome to assist at the event, which is being sponsored by Wawa, Dunkin’ Donuts, Utz Pretzels and Fun 107.1 FM.
While some people choose to walk alone, other participants form teams. Tuscano said the teams make the walk more enjoyable.
“I make posters for all the teams that register for the walk and, when everyone works together to raise money, it tends to be more fun. I am so amazed at how much money people raise, and the dedication these people have toward the fight amazes me,” she said.
The Cleo Tuscano memorial walk has raised more than $500,000 in the past five years, Tuscano said.
“Being an alumna of Monmouth University, I know the campus is beautiful, and I am so happy to have such a great environment to have the walk in. The university has been so supportive throughout the years, and I am very grateful for that,” she said.
Cleo Tuscano was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006 and died in 2008. Tuscano said losing her mother was the hardest thing she has had to endure in her life.
“My mother and I did everything together, and she was such a strong woman. She did not go through chemotherapy; she sought alternative treatments. I was 25 when I lost her,” Tuscano said. “ … My mom was such a confident person and made great decisions. I do this walk to honor her life and to make others unite together in this fight for a cure.”
Tuscano said she is sponsoring an event at Alex and Ani, 12 Broad St., Red Bank, 6-9 p.m. April 6. Any item that is purchased in the store during those hours will have 15 percent of the purchase price donated to the Lustgarten Foundation.
Ann Walsh, director of events for the Lustgarten Foundation, said she is grateful for Nicole and her support toward raising awareness about pancreatic cancer.
“We are grateful for the support of Nicole and her family and friends. It is because of the dedication and determination of individuals like Nicole that we are able to not only raise much-needed funding, but also much-needed awareness of pancreatic cancer. The Lustgarten Foundation remains dedicated to funding more research so a cure can be found,” Walsh said.
According to the Lustgarten Foundation website, pancreatic cancer is a silent disease with no early warning signs. Even as symptoms develop, they can be vague and are frequently attributed to other ailments. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in both sexes, and a majority of patients diagnosed are 55 years old or older, although the disease can also occur in younger people.