WALL TOWNSHIP — Dozens of attendees packed into the back dining room of Brick Township’s River Rock Restaurant to support a fundraiser by Lianna Bass, who raised money in honor of her father, Wall Township resident Chuck Bass, for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network [PCAN].
PCAN is a nationwide nonprofit organization that conducts research, offers support to patients and caregivers, engages in community outreach and advocates for greater federal research funding for individuals impacted by pancreatic cancer.
Plenty of food was provided by the restaurant, and raffles were set up on tables. Ms. Bass and other organizers had set up decorations in back room and tables, representing Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month, which is November. All decorations, napkins and some silverware were purple, the official color of pancreatic cancer awareness.
A Wall High School graduate, the late Mr. Bass was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2020 and died the following July, Ms. Bass said. He had been going for a checkup to a doctor after experiencing stomach issues, after which an “incidental pancreatic tumor” was found, as well as diverticulitis, or the forming of small pockets on the large intestine.
“I really wanted to transform my grief into something that could be positive for other people. So, I decided ‘What better way to honor my dad — but also help others — than to start a fundraiser for [PCAN],’” Ms. Bass told The Coast Star April 6.
Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the United States and about 7% of all cancer deaths, according to The American Cancer Society. The projected figures for pancreatic cancer diagnoses in the United States for 2024 are estimated to be 66,440 individuals, with 34,530 being men and 31,910 being women. Additionally, it is anticipated that there will be 51,750 deaths attributed to the disease, comprising 27,270 men and 24,480 women.
Mr. Bass was 61 at the time of his death. Ms. Bass created a website in his memory, which celebrates “the enduring legacy” of Mr. Bass and advocates for PCAN resources and donation opportunities.
“I will always miss my dad, but I’ve chosen to celebrate his life and turn my grief into something positive for others,” the website reads. “If we can help just one family dealing with this terrible disease, I think Dad would be proud.” For more information, visit chuckbassforever.com.