By Terri Rimmer
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) had a great turnout Nov. 17th at the Z Gallerie on Knox Street in Dallas, raising money for their cause.
On The Border Restaurant and Al James, the PanCAN public relations rep from national headquarters attended the event and many of his friends made purchases with a percentage going to PanCAN. James, a former Dallas resident, was part of the festive atmosphere.
Virginia Griffin, Fort Worth PanCAN’s Team Hope volunteer coordinator, set up a display of lives touched by pancreatic cancer, she said, to hopefully put a face to the disease. They also provided PanCAN informational material and PanCAN wristbands were given out.
“It was truly a night filled with heartwarming moments,” said Griffin. “And then there was the moment I was handed a Mason jar filled with change for Pennies for PanCAN! Then others seeing the jar dumped more change in it. Then there was the precious caring showed by so many to a new friend recently diagnosed and his wife; the sharing experiences and knowledge. They had only learned of PanCAN yesterday morning after a prayer for support. They now know they are not alone, whatever they face. They know we are there for them.”
Griffins said PanCAN will continue to brainstorm and “See what all ways we can come up with to increase awareness of pancreatic cancer, increase research for an early diagnostic test and more effective treatment and ultimately find the cure.”
Donations continued to be given through Nov. 20th at all 67 stores nationwide and the website zgallerie.com.
The Fourth Annual Ol’ Country’s Boot Scootin’ for PanCAN raised around $4,500 after expenses Oct. 22nd held at Dance Makers of Texas for pancreatic cancer research.
“The group that made it were a very enthusiastic bunch, who really stepped up to the plate,” said Griffin. “They really came through with buying raffle tickets and bidding on the silent auction items. The quilt my sister Cindy for made ended up bringing in over $700 and we got over $2,000 in the silent auction, with some on the phone participating in the bidding. It was a very lively participation.”
Griffin said the entertainment, Class Act, a group of women who volunteer dances as a community service, were a hit with the crowd. They did three sets with the last set getting the crowd to participate. Griffin said that was the first year of the event that the organization had that many people on the dance floor actually dancing.
“I was really proud of everyone,” she said. “And within a few weeks the pictures will be on the Fort Worth Team Hope website (pancan.org) so you can see for yourselves. It was so much fun to see everyone involved.”
Chris Hollis from the national PanCAN office attended the event which was named in memory of Griffin’s brother, Cecil E. Davis, who passed away from pancreatic cancer.
“I also very much appreciate Dr. Rolf Brekken for being out speaker as well as the research he does on pancreatic cancer,” said Griffin. “I appreciate the international exchange students and two host moms who really did a great job of decorating as well as serving the buffet. They also stayed around helped with the clean-up, along with the regular committee ‘family.’ And so, a huge thanks to all who made this event run as smoothly as it did.”
This year’s goal was to raise $5,000 at the October event.
You can still send in your donation by downloading the registration form and using it by clicking on the link: pancan.org/Volunteer/tx/fortw/BootScootin.
Or send a check or money order made payable to “PanCAN” or credit card donation by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.
“I feel privileged to be able to do whatever I can as my brother Cecil asked, to make a difference for someone in the future,” said Griffin.
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) had a great turnout Nov. 17th at the Z Gallerie on Knox Street in Dallas, raising money for their cause.
On The Border Restaurant and Al James, the PanCAN public relations rep from national headquarters attended the event and many of his friends made purchases with a percentage going to PanCAN. James, a former Dallas resident, was part of the festive atmosphere.
Virginia Griffin, Fort Worth PanCAN’s Team Hope volunteer coordinator, set up a display of lives touched by pancreatic cancer, she said, to hopefully put a face to the disease. They also provided PanCAN informational material and PanCAN wristbands were given out.
“It was truly a night filled with heartwarming moments,” said Griffin. “And then there was the moment I was handed a Mason jar filled with change for Pennies for PanCAN! Then others seeing the jar dumped more change in it. Then there was the precious caring showed by so many to a new friend recently diagnosed and his wife; the sharing experiences and knowledge. They had only learned of PanCAN yesterday morning after a prayer for support. They now know they are not alone, whatever they face. They know we are there for them.”
Griffins said PanCAN will continue to brainstorm and “See what all ways we can come up with to increase awareness of pancreatic cancer, increase research for an early diagnostic test and more effective treatment and ultimately find the cure.”
Donations continued to be given through Nov. 20th at all 67 stores nationwide and the website zgallerie.com.
The Fourth Annual Ol’ Country’s Boot Scootin’ for PanCAN raised around $4,500 after expenses Oct. 22nd held at Dance Makers of Texas for pancreatic cancer research.
“The group that made it were a very enthusiastic bunch, who really stepped up to the plate,” said Griffin. “They really came through with buying raffle tickets and bidding on the silent auction items. The quilt my sister Cindy for made ended up bringing in over $700 and we got over $2,000 in the silent auction, with some on the phone participating in the bidding. It was a very lively participation.”
Griffin said the entertainment, Class Act, a group of women who volunteer dances as a community service, were a hit with the crowd. They did three sets with the last set getting the crowd to participate. Griffin said that was the first year of the event that the organization had that many people on the dance floor actually dancing.
“I was really proud of everyone,” she said. “And within a few weeks the pictures will be on the Fort Worth Team Hope website (pancan.org) so you can see for yourselves. It was so much fun to see everyone involved.”
Chris Hollis from the national PanCAN office attended the event which was named in memory of Griffin’s brother, Cecil E. Davis, who passed away from pancreatic cancer.
“I also very much appreciate Dr. Rolf Brekken for being out speaker as well as the research he does on pancreatic cancer,” said Griffin. “I appreciate the international exchange students and two host moms who really did a great job of decorating as well as serving the buffet. They also stayed around helped with the clean-up, along with the regular committee ‘family.’ And so, a huge thanks to all who made this event run as smoothly as it did.”
This year’s goal was to raise $5,000 at the October event.
You can still send in your donation by downloading the registration form and using it by clicking on the link: pancan.org/Volunteer/tx/fortw/BootScootin.
Or send a check or money order made payable to “PanCAN” or credit card donation by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.
“I feel privileged to be able to do whatever I can as my brother Cecil asked, to make a difference for someone in the future,” said Griffin.