Memphis, Tenn., May 6, 2019 – While severe weather may have forced the cancellation of the Kosten Foundation’s Ninth Annual Kick It 5k on Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Shelby Farms Park, the more than 1,300 registered runners, walkers, volunteers, pancreatic cancer survivors, and supporters raised more than $135,000 to support the fight to end pancreatic cancer, the third deadliest cancer. Participants also set new records for individual team fundraising and near-record levels for the number and size of teams. Groups took to social media to share their unique stories and show support for the Kosten Foundation and the fight against pancreatic cancer despite the stormy weather.

Memphis, Tenn., March 20, 2019 – The 9^th Annual Kick It 5K will take place Sunday, April 7 at Shelby Farms Park at 1 p.m. The all-ages event includes a 5K run, 1-mile fun walk, opportunities for spirit runners, an inspirational survivor ceremony, entertainment, and food vendors. Registration is open at https://kickit5k.racesonline.com/.

Register for the Kick It 5K Before March 20 to be Entered into a Drawing to Win a Fitbit

Memphis, Tenn., February 5, 2019 – The 9^th Annual Kick It 5K will take place Sunday, April 7 at Shelby Farms Park at 1 p.m. The all-ages event includes a 5K run, 1-mile fun walk, opportunities for spirit runners, an inspirational survivor ceremony, entertainment, and food vendors. Registration is open at https://kickit5k.racesonline.com/. Individuals who register on or before March 20 will be entered into a drawing to win a Fitbit!

Organizations and Individuals throughout the Mid-South joined together to Raise Awareness and Funds to Fight Pancreatic Cancer

MEMPHIS, TENN., December 13, 2018 – This November, the Kosten Foundation raised $13,150 to fight pancreatic cancer and brought awareness to one of the most deadly forms of cancer. Individuals and businesses across the region and state participated in more than 15 events, including the annual symposium lecture, City and County Mayoral Proclamations, purple lighting of public and private structures, a Tribute at Twilight event, and Kosten Foundation Purple Day for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness. The majority of the money raised by the Kosten Foundation helps fund pancreatic cancer research and support fellowship training for future pancreatic cancer surgeons at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Since 2006, the Kosten Foundation has donated over $1.5M to the UTHSC pancreatic cancer research team. 

Tribute at Twilight Honors and Remembers Those Affected by Pancreatic Cancer during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Memphis, Tenn., November 19, 2018 – The Kosten Foundation’s Tribute at Twilight event on November 3 paid tribute to those lost to and affected by pancreatic cancer. Approximately 25 people gathered in Cancer Survivors Park, despite the cold windy weather, to share personal memorials to loved ones and support for those who are currently fighting the deadly disease. The event included a symbolic purple pinwheel display, a reading of the names of those who had passed away, and a glow stick ceremony.

Research has shown that people who carry mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (typically associated with breast and ovarian cancer) have a higher risk of several types of cancer, including the rare and deadly pancreatic cancer. While the proportion of specific harmful BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations varies among individual racial and ethnic groups, people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have been proven to have a higher prevalence of mutations in both genes. According to the National Cancer Institute, 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews, both men and women carry a BRCA gene mutation — more than ten times the rate of the general population, significantly increasing their risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

“I had no idea about the increased risk for pancreatic cancer for members of the Jewish community,” says Alan Kosten, Chairman of the Herb Kosten Pancreatic Cancer Charitable Fund and an active member of the Jewish community of faith Memphis, Tennessee. “The Kosten family and the Kosten Foundation have been advocating for greater awareness of pancreatic cancer ever since my brother, Herb, passed away from the disease in 2003. This news is something that really hits home for us and has made us take an even closer look at this disease, not just for ourselves, but for the many members of the Jewish community here in the Mid-South and other areas.”

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths each year and, while it represents only two percent of all cancers, it is responsible for 40 percent of all cancer deaths. What makes pancreatic cancer challenging to treat is that people often do not recognize the symptoms until they are advanced.

Son’s Fundraiser Pays Tribute to Father’s Death to Pancreatic Cancer

Memphis, Tenn., September 20, 2018 – The Third Annual Will James Extravaganza fundraiser, benefiting the Kosten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Support, will take place September 30, 2018, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at All About Bikes on 621 S. Mendenhall Road in Memphis, Tennessee. Last year’s event raised approximately $5,500.

The Will James Extravaganza is free to attend and will include an all-ages bike ride, bounce house, silent auction, and food and refreshments. The Will James Extravaganza was created by Tommy James to honor his father who passed away from Pancreatic Cancer in 2015 and to raise funds to help find a cure for the deadly disease.

“We all know someone who has had some form of cancer,” says Tommy James, “My dad passed away on October 1, 2015, from this awful disease. He was my best friend and my hero and this event is my way of paying tribute to his memory. I hope everyone will come out to help us support this cause and help continue the legacy of the greatest man I’ve ever met, my dad.”

Your doctor has diagnosed you with cancer. Your head is swimming with thoughts about treatment, loved ones, setting priorities, finances, and more. If you’re like many cancer patients, you’re likely also feeling isolated because, even though you are surrounded by family and friends, you’re overwhelmed by the feeling that no one understands what you’re going through.

Many cancer patients find that participating in a support group with others who face a similar diagnosis or have gone through similar experiences can provide healing to their emotional and spiritual well-being, which is just as important as good medical care.

“Listening to those brave souls in the support group give their testimonies about pancreatic cancer and what they’ve gone through literally changed my life,” said Larry Frantz, pancreatic cancer patient and member of the Memphis-based Kosten Foundation Support Group for Pancreatic Cancer. “I had given up hope and decided I was going to die when I learned about the Kosten support group. We started going and I realized it’s so much more than just a group talking about death and dying. It’s for the patients as well as their caregivers. It helps everyone. I am so thankful to the Kosten Foundation for starting this support group to provide help for patients who previously had nowhere to turn.”

While the format of every support group is different, the benefits are usually similar. What benefits can you expect to find in a support group? We’ve outlined a few of the most common that participants have shared: