We're fundraising to find a cure for pancreatic cancer and to honor our Gary Benson and all brave victims of this horrible disease. Join us!
This marks our family's 8th year participating in Naperville's Lustgarten's Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research to celebrate the progress that has been made and to power tomorrow's research. Support our team and embrace Lustgarten's vision of transforming pancreatic cancer into a curable disease. Join our team, donate to our team, provide hope to thousands of families touched by this devastating disease.
Why Lustgarten? They are the nation’s largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research. Thanks to separate funding of administrative expenses, 100% of our fundraising and your donation funds pancreatic cancer research - research led by Lustgarten and powered by you! With your support, we will raise more money for research advancements than we ever could alone.
It was 1803 when the Midwest last saw AND HEARD the deafening whirr of both the XIII & XIX cicada broods! I find it quite fascinating and even inspirational to witness this phenomenon; their long hibernations, delicate emergence and determined journeys through the mating process. Some believe broods emerge at the same time, every 17 and 13 years, for their very survival. No predator could possibly devour the billions and billions of them in one season, thus ensuring their continued survival!
In the seven and a half years since Gary lost his brave battle against pancreatic cancer, our family has mourned additional family and friends rocked by this disease. They include my daughter’s mother-in-law, Janice Noffsinger; a friend, Beth Repke; and my book club friend’s husband, Claude Urbaniak. Like Gary, by the time they were diagnosed, treatment options were limited, and they passed within a very short period of time.
Let’s change this story. Together.
What an idea these ancient cicadas have! Survival achieved by EVERYONE pitching in! Let’s do the same and help end the devastation of pancreatic cancer. Your support of funding critical research IS making a difference! Though not as fast as we would like it to, survival rates are improving, increased awareness and testing is aiding earlier detection, and more targeted research is showing promising results.
Our family thanks you for your support all these past years and appreciates your continued support both emotionally and financially.
Let’s vow to have quadrupled survival rates by the time the next brood of cicada’s emerge in 13 or 17 years. Together this IS possible!
Sally Benson and Family
Our Achievements
Top 10 Team
Top 3 Team
Received 15 Donations
Raised $500
Raised $1000
Reached Goal
Thank you to our Donors
$7.5k
Tom & Cathy Edwards
$3.02k
Sally Benson
$1.02k
Anonymous
$420
Lauren Sixsmith
$264
Kristen Larson
$264
Tom And Desiree Connors
$264
Michael & Janet Perry
$264
Christine Birck
$264
Bill Kelly
$264
Peter Larson
$250
Judy And Leslie Klemperer
$211
Beth And Jim Ashley
We will continue to fight for Gary and all of our friends and family that this horrible disease has touched.
$211
Pam Dennison
$211
Sheila Champa
$209
Dennis & Beth Riordan
We get back from Ireland on this day, so we can't join the walk but will be donating.
$200
Steven And Jean Benson
$158
Greg And Sara Jursich
$108
Patricia Schaffer
$107
Chris & Kathy Comperchio
Always in our hearts and prayers and remembering our great friend Gary! We love you Gar!
$106
Sarah Benson
$106
John And Dolores Potterton
$106
Patricia Niziolek
$106
Dan Jarvie
Go Gar Bear Team!
$106
Beth Degeeter
$106
Brad & Nancy Springer
Sending our love and support!
$106
Shipley Family
$106
Carolyn Vallar
$106
Daniel, Stephanie, And Olivia Tatar
Wish we were in town to be there. Your dedication to this cause and your ability to rally support year after year is truly inspiring, Sally. The impact you've made through your tireless efforts is a beautiful tribute to Gary’s legacy.
$106
Jackie
Sally, I wish I could be at the walk this year but instead a donation will have to do. In honor of Gary. -Jackie
$106
John Suzukida
$106
Nancy Naxera And Middleton Boys!
We miss you Uncle Gary and hope to help find a cure! Love Nancy and the boys!
$106
Etta & Mike Barry
$106
Thomas Chlebek
$106
Linda And Steve Mueller
$106
Elaine Anderson
$106
Cindy And Greg Mcclain
Gary is forever in our hearts. Thank you for all you continue to do in his name. Love, love, love
$106
Jed And Paula Eide
Sally, I sure wish we could be there for the walk and barbecue. But we will be in Colorado with our kids visiting. We will be thinking of you! Love you, Paula
$106
Pinnella Family
$106
Carol
So sorry we cannot join you this year. Gary is forever in our hearts.
$106
Kim Zlimen
$105
Maureen Dvorak
$105
Robert Schaffer
$105
Stacie Quigg
$105
Carrie Vallar
$105
Ken And Judy Koziol
$105
Marcia Schaub
$105
Ed And Donna Sagen
$105
Bill And Deborah Rickert
Sending love ❤️
$100
Ruth Craig
$100
Eugene Smithart
Love You Sally!! Lana amd Smitty
$100
Brandt Family
In memory of one of the best men I ever met !
$100
Tom & Nanci Welte
$79
Barbara & Jim Fett
$79
Anonymous
$79
Joni Anderson
$79
Dee Dee Porter
$76
Deborah Dell
$54
Jimmy Dennison
$53
Gail & Steve Butera
Always in our hearts.
$53
Nikki Dennison
$53
Michael & Lauren Calderaro
Great cause and terrific work Sally!
$53
Vivian Baldwin
$53
Christine Schulz
$53
Kevin & Kathy Cavanagh
$53
Chris Verano
$53
Stacie Piatt Vaughn
$53
Nancy Baird
I still miss him
$53
Leslie Urbaniak
Joining the fight to end pancreatic cancer in honor of my husband Claude and Gary Benson.
$53
Mary Anne Dambrosio
Always remembering Gary and hope a cure is found
$51
Mike & Sharon Butz
$51
Karin Vaughn
$50
Elaine Mitchner
$50
Jim Hoofnagle
$50
Anonymous
$42
Connie Messinger
$26
Sarah Degeeter
$26
Maryanne Heyman
$26
Bob & Debbie Corbin
$26
Larry And Colleen Saur
Thinking of you and your beautiful family.
$26
Joyce & Brad Shelton
Keep up the fight.
Our Team Members
Sally Benson
$16,249
Sarah Benson
$106
Robert Schaffer
$105
Tom and Desiree Connors
$264
Joni Anderson
$79
Jimmy Dennison
$54
Nikki Dennison
$53
Dolores Bopp Potterton
John Potterton
Stacie Quigg
Tim Quigg
Lauren Quigg
Matthew QUIGG
MEGAN QUIGG
Kristen Larson
$264
Beckett Larson
Charlotte Larson
Pam Dennison
Thomas Chlebek
$106
