Ilyssa Robbins

Ruthie Girl!

Walking for Ruthie

If you knew her, you probably called her Ruthie. Or Ruthie girl.

She was the most beautiful human — an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. The kind of person who made a room feel like home. Losing her to pancreatic cancer left a hole that never really closes. So every year, we show up anyway.

We walk. We donate. We scream her name and march with pride.

And this year, something we have been fighting for actually happened.

In August 2026, the FDA approved a new medication for pancreatic cancer — the first of its kind. In the trial, it nearly doubled survival time for people who used to have almost no options left. That did not come out of nowhere. It came from research. From families like ours who keep showing up. From every dollar that has gone into this work.

We did that. In the name of Ruth Robbins.

Now we get to live long enough to see a real breakthrough together. That is incredible. And it is not the finish line.

I’m walking in the Lustgarten Foundation Long Island Walk on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Jones Beach — and I’m fundraising because 100% of every donation goes straight to pancreatic cancer research. Not overhead. Research.

If you loved her, if you’ve walked with us before, or if you just believe this disease should not get the last word — please donate what you can. Share come walk with us.

Let’s keep it going.

For Ruthie. Always.