Octoberfest Food, Wine to Benefit Pancreatic Cancer Research

Pancreatic cancer might have taken the lives of their friends and family members, but for a group of Yorktown residents the battle continues.

For the second year in a row, they're holding a fundraiser at to bring attention to the disease and gain the needed financial support to pancreatic cancer research. 

Organized by Ed Lachterman, the Oktoberfest fundraiser will benefit the non-profit Lustgarten Foundation in honor of Rob Olmstead, Jack Murphy and Rose McTygue, who have fallen to the disease. 

"The only way an event like this works is with the care, love and support of the community," Lachterman said. "There are many good causes out there and Yorktown has a huge heart in being able to support so many of them. Our goal is to not only raise money for the Lustgarten Foundation, but to have an event that everyone enjoys and walks away feeling good not only about helping the Lustgarten Foundation, but in having had a great fun-filled day."

According to the Lustgarten Foundation, there is no cure for pancreatic cancer – a disease that is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in this country.

Although the fundraiser was the brain child of Olmstead's mother Norma, Lachterman quickly teamed up with both families – The Olmsteads and the Murphys – to raise money for the Foundation. Last year, the group raised $13,000 and this year they're aiming at $18,000.

Rob Olmsted was a high school friend of Lachterman's wife Carol and was considered part of the family. Olmsted passed away on March 15, 2009 after three years of battling the disease.

Jack Murphy, the father of Yorktown councilman and owner Terrence Murphy, passed away on Nov. 11, 2004 – just 11 weeks after he was diagnosed with the disease.

Rose McTygue was Carol Lachterman's grandmother, who is described as a strong woman and mother of six children. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June, 1994 and passed away that September.

"Looking back we did not realize how devastating pancreatic cancer is until you see the effects on a person," Ed Lachterman said. "Until that June, Rose was still very active and vibrant for an 85-year-old. Within three months, she was gone. At the time of diagnosis, you know it is pretty much a death sentence, but it is still a shock at how quickly the disease progresses."

The Octoberfest fundraiser will feature traditional Octoberfest food and a selection of beers and wines. The Melting Pot restaurant, located in White Plains, will be supplying a dessert table with some chocolate fondue. 

The band 'Class Action,' which is comprised of local lawyer/musicians, and Yorktown comedian John Iavarone will provide entertainment for the day.

Guests will be able to purchase tickets to win prizes. "Memory" and "Support" stars will be available for purchase for $20 each before and during the fundraiser. Organizers of the event said they are a great way to recognize or support a friend or loved one who is battling cancer or remember someone who has lost the battle. The stars will be displayed at Murphy’s Restaurant during the Oktoberfest. 

Registration for the event is $55 for adults 21 and over, $20 for young adults (16 to 20) which comes with $20 worth of raffle tickets, and it's free for children under 15.

The fundraiser aims to bring attention to the disease and gain the needed financial support to pancreatic cancer research. It will be held on Sept. 23 from 12 to 5 p.m. , which is located at 355 Kear St. in Yorktown.

To sign up contact Ed Lachterman at 914-393-1447, or email edlachterman@gmail.com. For more information and to donate money online, click here. There are also sponsorship opportunities available.  

The Lustgarten Foundation, founded in 1998, is a non‐profit organization dedicated to funding pancreatic research. The Lustgarten Foundation is named after Marc Lustgarten, a former Cablevision executive, who died at the age of 52 from pancreatic cancer. Every dollar raised by donation, walks and any other events do directly for research and program expenses.

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