The Ripple Effect

Jack Statfeld

Even as a teenager, when most of his peers were focused primarily on themselves, Jack was different; he was committed to, and passionate about, helping others. A self-described “go-getter,” Jack’s involvement with the Lustgarten Foundation began nearly a decade ago, while Jack was still in high school. “The severity of pancreatic cancer, the high mortality rate, and the many people my family and I have known who have either been affected or have passed away from pancreatic cancer, inspired me to get involved and have a larger impact,” Jack shared.

In 2016, Jack joined Team Just Us Jerks to participate in the challenging Tough Mudder obstacle course competition on Long Island. Together, he and his nine teammates raised $10,000 for Lustgarten’s research program, in honor of a family friend’s aunt, who is a pancreatic cancer survivor. Encouraged by this accomplishment, Jack and Just Us Jerks continued to fundraise, and by 2019, their fourth year competing in the event, Just Us Jerks had raised $50,000 for the most groundbreaking pancreatic cancer research. Eager and grateful for the chance to do even more, Jack joined Team Lustgarten for the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon. Due to the pandemic, his entry was deferred until 2022, when he raised another $5,000 for pancreatic cancer research.

Three years later, Jack is still committed to fundraising for the Lustgarten Foundation. When he had the opportunity to participate in the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon scheduled for March 16th, he jumped at the chance. The best part? “My dad is also a member of Team Lustgarten, and this will be his first race. This marathon marks the first time I’ve been able to do something with my dad at this magnitude,” Jack shared. “I feel so blessed we will have this memory together, while raising money for such an incredible purpose.” To prepare for the marathon, Jack and his dad, Brian, have trained for the past several months, and they are looking forward to a large crowd of family and friends cheering them and the rest of Team Lustgarten on throughout the 13.1-mile course across the Brooklyn Bridge, along the FDR Drive, through Times Square, and ending in Central Park.

Jack encourages anyone interested in fundraising to start small and increase awareness, letting your network spread the message organically among their own networks. “You never know who may know someone who is impacted by pancreatic cancer or who will feel compelled to donate,” Jack added. “The first time you ask people to donate may feel awkward but remember that the money is going to such a worthy cause. Lustgarten invests heavily in research on new treatment options and a potential cure. The Foundation is at the forefront of the battle against pancreatic cancer and has made a huge impact on the lives of many patients, survivors, and family members.”

Jack knows that once this half marathon is over, his dedication to the Lustgarten Foundation will continue. “I will stay involved because it feels so fulfilling knowing I’m trying to make a difference for someone else who is struggling with such a life-threatening disease. There’s a ripple effect; the money I raise could potentially be the funds that go toward prolonging or hopefully even saving somebody’s life.”