Shari and Neil Piper, founders of the local Albany Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research in 2004, have reported that 2026 walk was a success, telling The Jewish World that they expect proceeds of over $150,000 this year.

When the Pipers realized that their family was genetically ‘wired’ for pancreatic cancer,” they become proactive in the fight against the cancer. “We chose to become involved with the Lustgarten Foundation, especially when we learned 100% of every dollar raised, funds pancreatic cancer research with a focus on early detection and a cure for this disease.”

Pancreatic cancer is more common in Jews than in the general population, and Ashkenazic Jews have a greater risk than Sephardic Jews. About 1 in 40 Jews in the United States will get pancreatic cancer, compared to 1 in 67 in the overall U.S. population, according to a 2011 study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

This year, an estimated 67,530 Americans will receive a pancreatic cancer diagnosis and approximately 2,930 New Yorkers will die from this disease.

Marcy Stryker, who has the disease, said, “It was so heartening to see the support of our community for this annual walk. The Lustgarten Foundation is doing so much to help those like me who receive a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. The work they are doing toward a cure is truly inspiring!”