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PanCAN New York Affiliate Chair Tommy Barquinero (second from right) with Fordham Preparatory School students
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) was honored to participate in the Fighting for Hope: A Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research awareness walk at Fordham Preparatory School on April 12. During this event, which was held on the school’s campus in the Bronx, Fordham Prep students presented the PanCAN New York City Affiliate Chair Tommy Barquinero with a check for PanCAN for $15,000.
“This deeply generous donation will accelerate our efforts to demand better for patients, caregivers, and survivors through clinical initiatives, research, patient services and advocacy,” Barquinero said.
This effort was a culmination of months of hard work from the school’s student body, faculty and network of parents and volunteers. Michael Smith, Jr., the senior at Fordham Prep who led the planning of the walk, devoted his time in memory of his grandmother, who passed away from pancreatic cancer.
The walk also served as a tribute to beloved teacher Rosanna Estrella, who was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer seven months ago. Estrella delivered an inspiring speech at the start of the event, during which she emphasized the importance of hope in the fight against this disease.
“The awareness walk shows a campus and community decorated in purple and fueled by a shared mission to eradicate pancreatic cancer,” added Barquinero.
