Abbey Gallagher Hopes to Make a Difference

CW from Top Left: Abbey Gallagher gives a thumbs-up on a chilly and damp day. • Ben Bisogno, 14, of Brewster, rides his unicycle wearing a cancer research message. • Nothing like a hayride in the rain—this group of young men cover the wagon with a tarp and push it onto the fairgrounds at the Putnam Park. • Five BHS freshmen carry balloons urging support . The gals include ( l -r) Rosemari e Beahm, Marianna Faivre, Haley Tuohy, Ashley Garcia, and Christina Vazzano. Abbey Gallagher wants researchers to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

The Brewster High School junior has a close family member who has been diagnosed with the often fatal disease. Despite the odds of pancreatic cancer survival after five years— the American Cancer Society reports the pancreatic cancer survival rate at only 4-percent—the vivacious young woman hopes to make a difference, and formed a fund-raiser Sunday tabbed “Fall Festival to Benefit Pancreatic Cancer Research.”

With the assistance of family friend Eileen Molloy Civitillo and a circle of friends, the autumn festival took place at the Putnam Veterans Memorial Park in Kent.

Sunday’s weather was far from festival-like with chilly temperatures and a steady rainfall. Despite the inclement conditions, groups of people came out dressed for the occasion to raise money in order to find a cure.

Abbey was welcomed by Salinger Orchards in Southeast, which raised $1,000 by selling special luminary bags.

Abbey selected Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan as the recipient of all funds raised through the festival. Abbey explained: “Research is taking place every day in order to find a cure to what is often referred to as the ‘underdog of cancers.’ Memorial-Sloan Kettering is top dog when it comes to cancer research. Hopefully money raised in Putnam County will make a difference.”

Michelle Ryan of Brewster is one of Abbey’s closest friends. Michelle called her friend “one of the strongest people I know. She is an amazing person. Through her efforts, hopefully we can find a cure.”

Abbey has requested those who were unable to attend Sunday’s festival due to the weather or other obligations, but would like to contribute to the pancreatic cancer research fund, to send a tax-deductible check made out to Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and forward it to Abbey Gallagher, 99 Blueberry Drive, Brewster, NY 10509.

Abbey has promised that each check will be forwarded to the cancer center in Manhattan.