Hundreds lace up and walk for a pancreatic cancer cure

PENNSAUKEN, N.J. (WTXF) - Hundreds of people wearing purple gathered at Cooper River Park Sunday with a lot of energy and a plan to execute a shared mission: raise as much money as possible for the Lustgarten Foundation to fund pancreatic cancer research.

Stacey Hooper and her family are here to continue her late husband, Ronald's, fight.

"This is our third annual walk in his memory and memory of others who have lost their battle," Hooper said.

Stacey said her husband, Ronald, 48-years-old, lost his battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in three short months.

"It was very unexpected. He lived a healthy lifestyle - didn't smoke, didn't drink, went to work every day and was a good parent, a good son, a good friend," said a family member of Ronald.

Ronald's family believes that walking with the Lustgarten Foundation can make a difference.

"One hundred percent of every dollar donated to the foundation goes directly to research. The foundation is working hard hiring the best scientific minds to find research and find a cure that's going to translate into patients living longer," said Vanessa Steil, with Lustgarten Foundation.

Vicki Smith, of Runnemede, New Jersey, believes in the research.

"Most people hear pancreatic cancer and think that's the end. Three years later, my mom's still here. Penn is amazing and they have new treatments all the time that they're working on. She's a true champion and hero because she's still here for us," said Smith.

Sandy's grandson was front and center at the starting line of the walk, which he ran, in support of his grandmother. He and thousands of people that followed are a powerful force on the path to a cure.