‘Mellie’s Mission’ helps in fight against pancreatic cancer
For a year and a half, Melzina Wilson’s family watched her waste away from the debilitating effects of pancreatic cancer. After the Smithfield resident died Oct. 1, 2006, after a valiant fight for her life, her family mourned her death for a year and a half before deciding to fight for early detection and a cure of the second most painful cancer by organizing two fundraisers.
“Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal, quick, harsh and painful cancers, falling behind only bone cancer in the amount of pain it causes,” said her daughter, Debbie Barnes of Smithfield.
To raise money for research into the disease, Barnes and her family are organizing Mellie’s Mission, the third annual 5K Run and Walk at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Albert Gallatin Senior High School.
Registration will start at 8 a.m. The first 100 people to pay the $20 registration fee will receive a complimentary Mellie’s Mission T-shirt.
A children’s race for those 10 and younger will start at 8:30 a.m., with check-in scheduled for 8 a.m. Registration is $5.
While people can register for either event on Saturday morning, those wishing to register in advance can call 724-317-6268.
“Medals will be awarded to individual winners according to age range as well as to overall winners,” said Barnes.
Dr. A.J. Moser, co-director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, along with his wife, Suzanne, and their three children attended last year’s event and plan on participating again this year. The doctor also will address the participants and explain how funding from the previous events has make an impact on pancreatic cancer research.
All money collected by Millie’s Mission is earmarked for research.
“Our previous fundraisers have generated a total of around $7,500 for pancreatic cancer research,” said Barnes. “Each year since we’ve started, we’ve doubled our contribution. Last year we raised $5,000 and are hoping to double that figure again this time around. I hope the funding keeps growing each year to help researchers find a mechanism for early detection and a cure for this rapidly debilitating disease.”
In early April, Barnes said a friend of hers from Uniontown went to the hospital because he wasn’t feeling well. After being admitted, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died two weeks later.
“Through our efforts, we hope the community will become aware of this terrible scourge and help contribute to research for early detection and ultimately a cure,” she said.