Golf for Andy and for a cure for pancreatic cancer

Lustgarten Foundation fundraiser at Port Jeff Country Club on Aug. 8

By Kriistina M. Pedersen

Port Times Record

July 07, 2011 | 10:59 AM

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer in both men and women. Last year it claimed 36,800 lives in the United States alone, according to the National Cancer Institute. One of those was my father, Anders S. Pedersen of Port Jefferson. He was 63 years old. After a few months of complaining of what seemed to be acid reflux, he was given six months to live and, in spite of opting to endure painful chemotherapy in an attempt to battle the cancer at its worst stage, died four months later.

In order to cope with the devastation of watching my father, a physically strong and seemingly healthy man, depart this life in such a horrible way, I reached out to the Lustgarten Foundation, an organization dedicated solely to pancreatic cancer awareness and research.

	Port Jefferson resident Andy Pedersen died of pancreatic cancer. Photo from Kristina Pedersen. (click for larger version)

One of The Lustgarten Foundation's most important goals is to find a test for early detection to give persons diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a greater chance of beating the disease.

Pancreatic cancer has been called the silent killer. Symptoms may be vague. When the ailment is eventually diagnosed as pancreatic cancer, the course of action or treatment available is mostly for the purpose of pain management.

It is the most painful form of cancer. Sufferers often choose not to eat or drink in order to minimize the pain. My father loved his red wine, but when the symptoms first started to appear, drinking a glass of red wine was like drinking a glass of acid, so he stopped drinking wine altogether. At times before his final days he would still say all he really wanted to do was have one glass of wine.

After my father passed away on June 24, I organized a golf outing along with other family members and dear friends in remembrance of my father. That golf outing will be held at the Port Jefferson Country Club on Aug. 8, rain or shine. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to go directly to The Lustgarten Foundation for its important research.

We wish to increase awareness to support Pancreatic cancer research, but also honor the life of Andy Pedersen, a stoic and vibrant gentleman, a genuinely kind person and a fantastic father. The event will begin as a shotgun start at 7:30 am and will end with a celebration at the Miller Place Surf Club. Interested parties can find out more information about the outing, and also make a tax-deductible donation in Andy's name directly at www.lustgartenfoundation.org.