Kelly’s Heroes presented a $20,000 check to wage hope against pancreatic cancer, surrounded by more than 120 supporters at its annual St. Patrick’s Day fund raiser March 14 at Mercer Oaks in Princeton Junction.

Kelly’s Heroes co-founder Kerry McKean Kelly presented the check to Dr. Lei Zheng, co-director of the Precision Medicine Center for Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Zheng is one of the nation’s leading physician-researchers in pancreatic cancer and, more importantly to Kelly’s Heroes, doctor of Steve Kelly, who inspired the creation of the nonprofit following his death of pancreatic cancer in April 2015.

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death, with a five-year survival rate of just 9 percent. Patients often hope for a miracle against the deadly cancer, but Dr. Zheng recalled that Steve Kelly “found the miracle” in living life to the fullest during his 22 months living with pancreatic cancer.

Kelly’s Heroes also was honored to host pancreatic cancer patient Arnold Simon at its St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Simon, of Baltimore, said he’s feeling great two years after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. His experimental treatment regimen is a variation of the combination of drugs that Steve Kelly had received in one of two clinical trials he volunteered for. Simon credited Kelly for paving the way for improved outcomes for others facing pancreatic cancer.

Kelly’s Heroes’ donation will support clinical trials and research for other pancreatic cancer patients, giving them greater hope for increased survival.

The annual St. Patrick’s Day party featured a performance from the Denogla Ardmore School of Dance, as well as an array of raffle baskets from generous businesses.

Kelly’s Heroes sends its appreciation to the following businesses for their generosity: Audi of Princeton, Killarney’s, Cross and Shamrock, Ritchie and Paige Distribution Co., Capuanos, Pizzeria Uno, Retro Fitness, Edible Arrangements, Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton, Holiday Inn East Windsor, Hand and Stone, Shiseido, Mahzu, Applebee’s, Villa Barone, City Streets, Home Depot, Walmart, Issa Salon, Conair, Buy Rite Liquors, 4 Seasons Deli, Rossi’s, Carlucci’s, Tomasello Wines, Harvest Grille, Exit 8 Lounge, Americana, Picture Show, Hightstown Diner, Prestige Diner, Town Diner, Zinna’s Bistro, Cream Ridge Winery, East Windsor Bowl, Perkins, Dairy Queen, YogurtLand, Friday’s, Turning Point, Picture Show, iPlay America, Trenton Thunder, Rockville, BounceU, New York Red Bulls, Summit Grand Hotel, the State Theatre and the Newseum.

Kelly’s Heroes will celebrate its 4th annual St. Patrick’s Day Party Friday, March 15, at Mercer Oaks in Princeton Junction. It’s a new  location, but the same grand time for an important cause! Please join us, and spread the word!

Your registration includes hearty Irish-inspired appetizers, a pasta buffet, beer, wine and dessert – plus entertainment including champion Irish dancers, DJ and dancing and our biggest selection of raffle baskets yet. All proceeds support patient clinical trials at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, along with scholarships for Hightstown and Notre Dame high school students pursuing studies in healthcare.

Register by March 8 for our early discount rate of $60; $65 after that date. Register online on our Join Us page using the Donate button (PayPal), or print and mail the registration form with check payable to Kelly’s Heroes: 2019 St. Patrick’s Day Party registration

Filling in your new 2019 calendar? Save Friday, March 15, for the 4th annual Kelly’s Heroes St. Patrick’s Day Party at our new Mercer Oaks location in Princeton Junction, N.J. Our party with a purpose supports clinical trials for those facing pancreatic cancer. Registration details coming soon!

World Pancreatic Cancer Day is Nov. 15 and we need your help to raise awareness. Pancreatic cancer is on pace to become the world’s second leading cause of cancer death, and the five-year survival rate is just 9 percent in the United States. Increased awareness helps us change that course.

So how can you help? Wear purple on Nov. 15 and tell people it’s because you demand better for those facing pancreatic cancer. Then multiply your reach by snapping a photo of yourself, your family, your coworkers, your teammates, your dog and share it on Kelly’s Heroes’ social media. Use hashtag #WPCD. Kerry McKean Kelly has pledged to donate $5 to pancreatic cancer research for every photo shared. PLUS! we’ll draw a winner at random from among your photos to receive a Kelly’s Heroes prize pack. Tag us on Twitter @1kellysheroes; on Instagram @1kellysheroes; and on Facebook @1kellysheroes, Kelly’s Heroes: Fighting Pancreatic Cancer. Or email your photo to kmckeankelly@msn.com. Let’s turn the world purple Nov. 15! Learn more about our joint efforts with the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition here: http://www.worldpancreaticcancerday.org/

Golfers, sponsors and volunteers gathered yesterday at Mercer Oaks in Princeton Junction, N.J., for Kelly’s Heroes 4^th Annual Teed Off! Golf Outing to Fight Pancreatic Cancer. They were there taking care of a bit of unfinished business.

“As Steve was going through his treatments in two different clinical trials, he truly believed that the science was getting closer to a breakthrough,” said Kerry McKean Kelly, wife of Kelly’s Heroes inspiration Steve Kelly. “We’re here taking care of Steve’s unfinished business – raising funds and waging hope against pancreatic cancer. So thanks to all of you for being one of Steve Kelly’s Heroes.”

The annual event raised more than $10,000 to support cancer research at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. Hopkin’s Ellen Roberts was a special guest, sharing details of the promising research of Drs. Dung Le, Lei Zheng and Bert Vogelstein that Kelly’s Heroes supports. Drs. Le and Zheng were part of Steve Kelly’s care team, while Dr. Vogelstein provided Steve expert counsel on new treatments. They are among the nation’s most renowned pancreatic cancer clinicians and researchers. Roberts shared a sampling of their most recent works:

• Vogelstein and his team developed a blood test that screens for eight common types of cancer, including pancreatic. There is no existing screening test for pancreatic cancer. The test, called CancerSEEK, has had very promising results in its early phases. Within a generation, this test could make pancreatic cancer screening a part of routine bloodwork – a true game changer that would save thousands of lives.
• Le, who was part of the team that developed the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, continues to focus on immunotherapy and combination therapies. Her latest research builds on the chemotherapy trial that Steve participated in, testing a cocktail of chemo drugs at lower doses. The goal is to fight tumors while reducing side effects and maintaining the patient’s quality of life – two priorities for Dr. Le.
• Zheng recently was named co-director of the Precision Medicine Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer. He and his colleagues will perform genomic sequencing on every patient to identify the most effective treatment and drugs based on the patient’s individual genetic makeup.

It’s critically important work that wouldn’t be possible without philanthropic support, said Roberts.

“To this day, (Steve’s) courageous struggle and his determination to raise awareness and funding for pancreatic research – and which you continue to do today – inspires us and our colleagues in a quest for a cure,” said Roberts.

We’re all winners when we raise funds for pancreatic cancer research, but Kelly’s Heroes congratulates the following golfers who were winners on the links as well at our 4^th Annual Teed Off! Golf Outing to Fight Pancreatic Cancer.

Jerry Solujich was a first-time recipient of the Green Jacket for coming closest to the pin on hole 8. The Green Jacket is a Steve Kelly tradition that originated nearly 20 years ago at his annual St. Patrick’s Day Party. Congratulations to Jerry for becoming part of the legend!

Solujich also was part of the winning foursome which also included Ed Murawinski, Mark Skahan and Steve Rhamstine.

The second-place team was Barry Fox, Bob Knorr, Mike Vermes and Tom Pohl, followed by Danny Tanner, Ken Balcome, Len Rodak and Russ Snyder.

Other individual winners included Jude Habib and Katrina Campbell for the longest drives, Judy Uosikkinen for coming closest to the pin on hole 5, and our Sink Cancer putting winners, James Smith and Ed Murawinski.

Kelly’s Heroes thanks its generous sponsors, whose support of our annual Teed Off! Golf Outing helps us wage hope against pancreatic cancer.

Back again with their generous support each year are our Ace sponsors Blue Rock Construction and Pennsylvania Steel Co. They are joined by our Eagle sponsor NEPCO and Birdie sponsors, the Cottone Family, Habib Law and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

There’s still time to sign up to join our friendly crowd of sponsors and other supporters Oct. 16 at Mercer Oaks East in Princeton Junction. It’s a four-person, best ball scramble, with special holes and contests throughout the course. Afterward, join us in the clubhouse for buffet, drinks, prizes, raffles and brief remarks from Ellen Roberts of the Johns Hopkins Hospital who will share details on how your support makes a difference for those facing pancreatic cancer.

A registration flier and secure online payment are available on our Join Us page. See you on the links!

12 Farms in Hightstown is hosting a Kelly’s Heroes fund raiser Nov. 8, and donating to the cause couldn’t get more delicious! Just enjoy one of 12 Farms’ farm-to-table meals, and Chef Renato will donate 10 percent of all dinner checks to Kelly’s Heroes. It’s that easy! 12 Farms is at 120 N. Main Street, Hightstown. It’s BYOB, or purchase a local bottle of wine from Working Dog Winery. Visit www.12farms.com to view the menu and make a reservation starting at 5 p.m.

Help us wage hope against pancreatic cancer! It’s the third leading cause of cancer death, with a five-year survival rate of just 9 percent. Kelly’s Heroes is hosting its 4th annual Teed Off! Golf Outing to Fight Pancreatic Cancer Oct. 16 at Mercer Oaks in Princeton Junction, N.J.

Play Mercer Oaks’ East course in a shotgun start, four-person best ball scramble, followed by a post-match buffet, drinks, prizes and auction. Proceeds benefit patient clinical trials that bring hope for increased survival.

We also offer sponsorships at all levels and invite you to join us on the links to boost your brand, spend time with fun and compassionate people and advance Steve Kelly’s wish to “kick the tar outta’ pancreatic cancer.”

Go to our Join Us page to register online, or print and mail our registration flier. Questions? Email us at 1kellysheroes@gmail.com.

Kelly’s Heroes recently awarded its annual Healthcare Scholarships to two deserving high school seniors. The annual awards recognize Steve Kelly’s great appreciation for the nurses who provided compassionate care during his cancer journey.

Two awards of $500 are presented to a student from Hightstown (N.J.) High School and Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, N.J. The HHS recipient is Amanda Szeles, a scholar-athlete who played on the school’s lacrosse team. Amanda plans to study nursing at Seton Hall University. The scholarship was presented by Linda Heller, a longtime friend of the Kelly family and an HHS teacher who is retiring following this school year.

At Notre Dame, the scholarship was awarded to Zoe Carpene, who will pursue a nursing degree at the University of Vermont. A dancer as well as an excellent student, Zoe earned a Presidential Scholarship at Vermont. Her award was presented by T.J. Drahuschak, last year’s Kelly’s Heroes scholarship recipient who is studying nursing at William Paterson University.