Knowledge is one of the best ways to combat the world’s deadliest cancer. That’s why World Pancreatic Cancer Day Nov. 21 is all about raising awareness and empowering people to take action!

Kelly’s Heroes is part of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, a worldwide organization of nonprofit advocacy groups which is the driving force behind World Pancreatic Cancer Day (WPCD). Our President Kerry McKean Kelly chairs the international steering committee that plans the WPCD outreach campaign.

What can you do to support the world’s efforts against pancreatic cancer?

• Learn the symptoms and risk factors of pancreatic cancer. This knowledge can increase early detection and improve the odds for survival.
• Post on social media. Show your commitment to Kelly’s Heroes and the pancreatic cancer cause to your friends and followers. WPCD resources include a create-your-own social media post tool. Be sure to tag #KellysHeroes and #WPCD.
• Support Kelly’s Heroes’ flagship fund – the Steve Kelly Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Your tax-deductible donation helps give cancer patients access to clinical trials that provide the best hope for survival.

Combine good people, a good cause and a beautiful fall day, and we’re all winners! The annual Teed Off Golf Outing Sept. 19 at Mercer Oaks did not disappoint, with 100+ golfers, generous sponsors and tireless volunteers helping us raise $25,000 to assist cancer patients.

Continuing a Steve Kelly tradition, Karen Dumont donned the green jacket for her closest-to-the pin drive. The top team was Ryan Harbison, Ed Rosina, Tommy Metzger and Dave Nelson.

Thank you to our title sponsor Blue Rock Construction; year after year this generous company is a driving force behind the success of our golf outing. Thanks also to our Ace sponsors CMI Cabinets and Countertops and Pennsylvania Steel; our Eagle Sponsors Compass Ion, Hydro, M&T Bank and Friedman, Schuman, Layer; and our Birdie Sponsors Habib Law, Rue Insurance/Bob Cottone, Dream Vacations/Bob D’ambrosia and the Macrae Family.

Following in Steve Kelly’s footsteps, Team Kelly’s Heroes is running in two events this fall to raise money in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Along with running in the 2024 Ocean City N.J. Half Marathon, 10 Miler & 5K (Sunday, Sept. 22), Kelly’s Heroes will also participate in the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend (Nov. 22-24) that features a full marathon, half and an 8K. We welcome runners of all distances to join us at either event (or both!) to help raise funds for the Steve Kelly Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research, which brings more treatment options to patients facing this terrible disease. If you’ll be joining us for the first time, we promise a fun experience you’ll never forget. Speed doesn’t matter; participation does!  We just ask that each runner commits to raising a minimum of $200. Team Captain Bill Kettelberger is a marathon veteran, including NY and Chicago. Email him at kettelb@hotmail for more information. Not a runner? You can support our team members with a donation via their Pledge It page.

Tee off against pancreatic cancer! Registration is open for Kelly’s Heroes annual Teed Off Golf Outing Thursday, Sept. 19, at Mercer Oaks in Princeton Junction, N.J. It’s a four-person best-ball scramble with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. We pride ourselves on a fun, friendly event – just as Steve Kelly would want it. The day includes continental breakfast, lunch on course, beverage cart, post-match cocktail buffet, putting contest, a premier hole-in-one prize, closest-to-the pin and longest drive prize holes, raffle baskets, 50-50 and the annual presentation of the coveted green jacket. Best of all – every penny raised supports the Steve Kelly Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research, which helps patients access clinical trials that provide new hope for survival. There are tremendous sponsor opportunities too – make connections, treat your team members and gain the goodwill of supporting our all-volunteer 501c3. Find more details on the Join Us page, or download the golf/sponsor registration brochure.

‘Twas another fine evening of good fun for a great cause at the annual Kelly’s Heroes St. Patrick’s Day party. Thanks to your support, we presented a $30,000 check for the Steve Kelly Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research. And in turn, Ellen Roberts of Johns Hopkins surprised us with a framed copy of the medical journal Cancer Research Communications acknowledging Kelly’s Heroes for its support of a promising study to bring better treatment options to patients. We’re very proud of this small but mighty 501c3, and we couldn’t do it without you!

Feeling lucky? Read on for the stellar prizes that are part of the silent auction and raffle at the Kelly’s Heroes St. Patrick’s Day Party Friday, March 15, at Mercer Oaks in Princeton Junction, NJ. The proceeds help give pancreatic cancer patients greater access to clinical trial treatments.

Your registration also includes dinner buffet, open bar, a performance from the DeNogla Academy of Irish Dance, live music from guitarist Mark Robidoux on the Patio, and DJ Kyle spinning the tunes. Early registration is just $75 before March 6; $80 after that date or at the door. Go to our Join Us page for details and registration.

Here’s our prize list so far – and it’s still growing:

Silent Auction:

• 76ers VIP Experience, including four club box seats for a game in the 2024-2025 season, opportunity to watch the pregame shootaround from the floor, complimentary parking. Many thanks to the 76ers organization for this donation!
• Baltimore getaway including one-night accommodation at the Four Seasons, complimentary breakfast, and behind-the-scenes tour and happy hour at Union Craft Brewery. Thank you to the Four Seasons and Union Craft Brewery for this donation.
• 4 Yankees tickets in the Audi Club for a game in the 2024 season, including food and soft drinks, generously donated by Audi Princeton.
• A Tyrese Maxey autographed basketball – with thanks to the 76ers for this donation.
• A Jersey Devils jersey signed by Dougie Hamilton, generously donated by the NHL.

Raffle:

• Apple headphones donated by Anabel Fuchs
• Anthropologie basket donated by Kacey Kelly
• Theater tickets donated by the renowned McCarter Theater, Princeton
• 2 one-day passes donated by Six Flags Great Adventure
• Comedy & Culture basket donated by The Philadelphia Orchestra and Helium Comedy Club
• Intro to rock climbing package donated by Philadelphia Rock Gyms
• A family pack of four tickets to Nickelodeon Universe indoor amusement park at American Dream, donated by the park
• 2 one-day passes to Morey’s Pier Waterpark in Wildwood, donated by Morey’s, plus complimentary ice cream cones from Kohr Brothers
• A rejuvenating facial donated by Hand & Stone, plus other self-care items
• Pinot Picnic Basket with everything you need for a perfect picnic, including a $50 gift card donated by McCaffrey’s Supermarkets
• March Madness Giftpack including $50 in Draft Kings gift cards and $50 to spend at Buffalo Wild Wings, donated by Mindy McKean
• Smooth and Smoky Basket, including premium bourbon and a Crate and Barrel cocktail smoker, donated by Diane Meneskie
• Fitness Basket including free admission to Zumbathon 2024 donated by Sandy Kelly Robidoux and the Zumba Committee
• Irish Coffee Basket to bid you top o’ the morning, donated by Lauren Cottone
• LBI State of Mind Basket including beach badges and beach-going essentials, donated by Linda Heller
• 4 tickets to the Phillies game May 6, courtesy of the Phillies
• Breakfast Basket with donations from Turning Point restaurants, Rook Coffee, Perkins – East Windsor plus much more
• Bath Bliss basket with bath caddy, plush robe, Bath & Body Works and more
• Travel bag generously donated by Lug Life
• Admission for 2 donated by Adventure Aquarium, Camden
• A beautiful jewelry piece donated by Kendra Scott, with trinket box
• Fruit-tastic Basket with fruit arrangement and smoothies donated by Edible, East Windsor
• FlaminGO Basket with Vera Bradley beach bag, mini cooler, beach beverages, two-person beach towel and more
• 2 one-day passes donated by Dorney Park
• Solo Stove & S’Mores – a Mesa model tabletop firepit from Solo, firewood starter and s’mores fixings
• 4 one-day passes donated by Casino Pier in Seaside
• Surf & Turf package with $120 in gift cards donated by Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill.

Don’t miss the fun – register today!

Our annual St. Patrick’s Day bash is back March 15, 2024, at Mercer Oaks in Princeton Junction, NJ. This event is inspired by Steve Kelly’s love of fun, friends and family. Your registration includes dinner buffet, open bar, tunes from DJ Kyle, Irish entertainment, guitar sounds of Mark Robidoux on the Patio and an incredible array of raffle baskets – all that for just $75 if you pre-register by March 6. (Registration after that date, or at the door, is $80.) All proceeds benefit the Steve Kelly Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research to give cancer patients hope for increased survival. Go to our Join Us page for more details and registration.

Circle March 15 on that brand new 2024 calendar and plan to join Kelly’s Heroes at Mercer Oaks in Princeton Junction, NJ, for our annual St. Patrick’s Day Party. ‘Tis a night of good craic (ask someone Irish) with Irish dancers, a DJ, dinner buffet, open bar, raffle baskets and more! Watch this space for registration details coming soon or, better yet, email kellysheroes@gmail.com to join our mailing list so you don’t miss the registration info.

The Stayin’ Alive Zumbathon is good fun for a great cause! Sandy Kelly Robidoux hosts this high-energy evening Friday, Nov. 3, in Fairless Hills, Pa., with all proceeds donated to Kelly’s Heroes.

The event features nonstop Zumba led by 10 ZIN instructors, amazing music and dozens of raffle baskets. Stay fit and fight pancreatic cancer at the same time!

The Zumbathon is held at the Oxford Valley Elementary School, 430 Trenton Road, Fairless Hills, Pa. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., and the dancing starts at 6:30. Admission is $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Venmo payment to @Sandy-Robidoux; email sandymark1@verizon.net with questions. Wear purple! Find the flier here.

Team Kelly’s Heroes will return to the Ocean City, N.J., Half Marathon, 10 Miler & 5K Sunday Sept. 24. Captain Bill Kettelberger and his team of runners are looking to have fun and raise funds for a future without pancreatic cancer. This is a race that Steve Kelly ran himself, so the course along the Boardwalk and streets of OC is especially meaningful for our runners. Team Kelly’s Heroes raised $6,000 last year – help us set a new record in 2023! 2023 Kelly’s Heroes OCNJ Half Marathon, 10 Miler & 5K – PledgeIt.org