More than 125 people partied for a purpose March 19 at Kelly’s Heroes’ first St. Patrick’s Party at the American Legion in East Windsor, N.J.

The night paid homage to Steve Kelly’s love of two March traditions – St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness. With a DJ, Irish dancers, a silent auction and NCAA basketball playing on the wide screen, the event raised money for pancreatic cancer research and scholarships for two graduating seniors from Hightstown High School and Notre Dame High School who intend to pursue a healthcare career.

“Steve always appreciated his oncology nurses so much, and I think he would approve of helping an aspiring nurse or doctor or therapist get their start,” said Kerry McKean Kelly, wife of Steve Kelly, whose cancer experience inspired the creation of the 501(c)(3).

Steve, diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in June 2013, participated in two clinical trials and was committed to cancer research. He died in April 2015, inspiring the organization that now celebrates his life by raising funds – and awareness – for pancreatic cancer research.

“Pancreatic cancer will surpass breast cancer this year as the third leading cause of cancer death,” said Kerry Kelly. “About 75 percent will die within a year of their diagnosis. Steve lived for 22 months with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and that was considered a success. Well if that’s success, then we need to redefine success against this disease.”

Kelly’s Heroes was joined by N.J. Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, who recalled his friendship with Steve and his memories of sitting alongside him at the soccer fields, watching their daughters compete. He thanked the crowd for their support for cancer research.

Entertainment was provided by dancers from the Denogla-Ardmore School of Irish Dance, performing their slip jigs and treble reels and winning rave reviews from the crowd. The event also featured a silent auction, including a pair of tickets to Hamilton, the hottest show on Broadway. After some fierce bidding, the winner was Kelly’s Heroes Board member Bill Habib, with a $700 winning bid.

Feb. 28 — A week at a South Carolina golf condo, autographed sports items, a Kate Spade purse for spring and more are among the silent auction items up for bid at the Kelly’s Heroes St. Patrick’s Day Party March 19 in East Windsor, N.J.

Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Purchase them online at www.kellysheroes.ngo/join-us or by check, payable to Kelly’s Heroes at 8 Letchworth Avenue, Yardley, PA 19067.

It’s a party with a purpose, with all proceeds supporting pancreatic cancer research and funded scholarships at Hightstown High School and Notre Dame High School.

The fun runs from 7 to 11 p.m. at the East Windsor American Legion Hall, Route 130 North. Enjoy corned beef and cabbage and other Irish fare, a cash bar, DJ and dancing. And bring your checkbook for the silent auction, featuring the following items and more:

1. A week at a golf condo in Little River, S.C., on the 5^th hole of Heather Glen Golf Course. This 2 bed, 2-bath condo is close to Myrtle Beach and just three miles from the beach. See photos and more information on our Facebook photo album, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.801488683288500.1073741831.729556240481745&type=3
2. A Spartan basketball autographed by future Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo. Get it now before the value skyrockets in March Madness!
3. Fresh off a championship season, an autographed baseball from the Mets’ David Wright
4. An authentic New Jersey Devils sweater signed by team Captain Andy Greene
5. A lovely robins-egg blue Kate Spade handbag perfect for spring
6. A massive UFC gift basket stuffed with clothing, accessories, autographed photos and more. Get in on the nation’s fastest growing sport.
7. A Phillies basket with game tickets
8. A Fun in the Sun basket with everything you need to mix up a refreshing batch of magaritas.
9. A Craft Beer basket complete with those coveted Kelly’s Heroes coasters and can coolers.
10. A Candle for All Seasons basket featuring high-quality candles from Party Lite.

For party updates, check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/1kellysheroes.

Feb. 2, 2016 – Party with a purpose! Join Kelly’s Heroes March 19 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the American Legion, 895 U.S. 130, East Windsor, N.J. 08520, for its first St. Patrick’s Day Party.
Wear some green, don your kilt and enjoy an Irish buffet, cash bar, DJ and dancing, a silent auction and more.
Kelly’s Heroes is an all-volunteer 501(c)3. Proceeds from our St. Patrick’s Day party will support pancreatic cancer research and fund local scholarships for a graduating senior at Notre Dame High School and Hightstown High School.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. To purchase advance tickets, go to our Join Us page and purchase them using the Donate button. Please put “St. Patrick’s Day” in the PayPal comment box.

Dec. 21, 2015 – Kelly’s Heroes has presented its first awards of $1,000 each to three Johns Hopkins physicians who are leading promising research into improved screening and treatment for pancreatic cancer:
Bert Vogelstein, MD, is co-director of the Ludwig Center at Johns Hopkins, Clayton Professor of Oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. His landmark work on the genetic basis of cancer tumors has opened new avenues in fighting pancreatic cancer, most notably through a “vaccine” to prime the body’s own immune system to fend off cancer cells. His research also includes the quest for a simple, accessible test for early detection of pancreatic cancer.
Lei Zhang, MD, and Dung Le, MD, were Steve’s physicians at Johns Hopkins, and both are leading clinical trials to explore new treatments that will give pancreatic cancer patients both longer lives and higher quality lives. Among his work, Dr. Zhang is the lead investigator in a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of GTX plus cisplatin as a new chemotherapy combination in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Dr. Le’s clinical trials include an immunotherapy treatment using two different anticancer vaccines: GVAX Pancreas followed by CRS-207. GVAX is composed of pancreatic cancer cells that have been genetically modified to generate activity to stimulate the immune system. The second vaccine, CRS-207, uses genetically altered Listeria to spark an immune response against the protein mesothelin on pancreatic tumor cells. The combination essentially trains the body to recognize and attack pancreatic tumors.

Nov. 9, 2015 – Kelly’s Heroes raised more than $2,800 for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network as part of PurpleStride New Jersey in Parsippany. A team of 25 Kelly’s Heroes supporters included Steve’s family and friends, Board members and a large contingent from Notre Dame High School. The day was inspiring and emotional – made even more so because Steve had delivered the “Survivor Speech” at last year’s Purple Stride. His words and his hope for continued clinical advances to fight this terrible cancer live on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SecjkgDl7g