Valley Streamer participating in pancreatic cancer fundraiser

In February 2015, Audrey Bussani experienced stomach pains and a change in appetite. Her doctor presumed it was an ulcer, but when she started to get worse he changed his opinion. Her daughter, Michelle Cardinal, of Valley Stream, said pancreatic cancer was not something any of her family had considered it could be.
“She was diagnosed five days before she passed,” Cardinal said. When a person finds out they have pancreatic cancer, she said, most likely its in the advanced stages.

On Sunday, April 10, the Lustgarten Foundation will sponsor its annual New York City Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk from 8 a.m. to noon at Pier 84 between 43rd and 44th Street and the West Side Highway. Cardinal is participating in hopes that it will raise awareness about the aggressiveness of the disease, and to hopefully fund future research. Those interested can pre-register at a discounted price or register in-person the morning of the event.

“There’s no screening process,” she said of pancreatic cancer, and added that it’s a horrible thing to have to go through.

“[I’m] trying to help other families to not have to go through what we did,” Cardinal said. “I want others to have an opportunity — if they do have it — they can catch it at an early stage.”

For more information, visit the Lustgarten Foundation website.