The Joseph C. Monastra Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research raised $100,000 for the fight against pancreatic cancer in its first golf tournament last fall. Now the organization is gearing up for another round against the silent killer when supporters tee off at the Golf Club of Georgia on October 27, 2008.
“We’re thrilled about the participation and the results of our first tournament,” said Pamela Monastra, a board member on the JCM Foundation. The Foundation was founded after Monastra’s father died of the disease in 2002 and the family could not locate an organization dedicated to its cure.
“Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths, yet the fight against it has really just begun,” Monastra said.
Since 2002, the JCM Foundation has raised more than a half million dollars. All funds go directly to research at Johns Hopkins, with a current tri-fold focus on learning how pancreatic cancer spreads, identifying and studying the genes that cause pancreatic cancer, and studying a novel drug for treatment of the disease.
“Many families in our community have been touched by this terrifying disease, which can’t be detected early and leaves no time for surgeries or chemotherapy,” said Monastra. “We want to prevent others from going through the same experiences my family endured when we lost my father.”
Monastra, who has a successful career in real estate marketing, is not the only member of Atlanta’s home building industry who is interested in advancing pancreatic cancer research. Tom Sharp, President of Sharp Residential and current member of the Board of Directors for the JCM Foundation, has also lost friends and relatives to the disease. In addition to lending support through his time and resources, Sharp has encouraged others in the industry to become involved.
“Watching a loved one suffer and ultimately pass because of a deadly disease there is no cure or medicine for is devastating,” said Sharp. “Through the efforts of the Monastra family, not only are more people becoming aware of this deadly disease, but there are actually efforts being made to find a cure so others will not have to endure such a heartbreaking situation. I lost my father-in-law, a great friend to pancreatic cancer – I hate for anyone to have to go through that.”
The Joseph C. Monastra Foundation is currently seeking sponsorships for the 2008 golf tournament. For more information on the JCM Foundation, the tournament, donations or volunteering, please visit www.jcmfoundation.com or contact Pamela Monastra at 404-391-2169 or info@jcmfoundation.com.
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