Pan Cure Now 

Aden Wiener

At an age when most children were busy with their friends, playing video games and riding bikes, Aden Wiener was learning about loss.  

In 2010, when Aden was just 11 years old, his beloved grandmother, Janet Robinson—the energetic, trailblazing heart of his family—was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, the same disease that killed Aden’s great-grandfather. Janet underwent chemotherapy treatment, but it was ineffective, and her health deteriorated rapidly. In less than four months following the shocking diagnosis, this healthy, 75-year-old avid tennis player passed away, leaving her close-knit family to grieve for all the missed holidays, birthdays, milestones, and even the mundane moments they wouldn’t experience together. 

“My grandmother was such a huge presence in my life, and because she and my grandfather lived just a couple of blocks away from us, I was lucky to spend so much time with her,” Aden remembers. “My grandma made her six grandchildren her top priority, and some of my best childhood memories are of sleepovers and holiday dinners with my cousins at her apartment. She loved hosting and taking care of everyone.” 

Following her passing, Aden’s family knew they wanted to honor Janet’s memory by getting involved in spreading awareness for pancreatic cancer and funding research to prevent other families from going through the anguish they experienced. They formed Team Janet at the Lustgarten Foundation’s New York City Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk and participated in the event for several years, raising critical funds for research. “I support Lustgarten because it’s so unique that the organization allocates 100% of all [peer-to-peer fundraising] to pancreatic cancer research.”

Participating in the New York City Walk was just the beginning of Aden’s commitment to honoring his grandmother and supporting the Lustgarten Foundation. Shortly after his grandmother’s death, Aden started making purple wristbands saying Pan Cure Now and selling them at school. In 2014, he was featured in a television ad for the Lustgarten Foundation, in recognition of the difference he was making for pancreatic cancer patients and their families. He continued selling the wristbands and supporting the New York City Walk throughout the rest of his childhood.  

To this day, Aden’s purple wristband is always visible on his right wrist, and he’s surprised by how many people notice it, share their stories of how they’ve been impacted by this disease, and feel compelled to make a difference too by donating. “I keep three backup bracelets with me in case the one I’m wearing breaks,” he shared. 

And, years later, when his grandfather was in hospice care, the only jewelry he wore was the purple wristband, a symbol of Janet’s life and legacy. The wristband also serves as a reminder to Aden’s mother, aunt, and uncle to continue being proactively monitored for pancreatic cancer, given their family history. “Finding a cure for pancreatic cancer is the most important thing to me,” Aden said. “If you’re not feeling well and you know people in your family have a history of cancer, don’t ignore the symptoms, because getting help early could save your life.”  

This year Aden, now 25, is excited to take his support to a new level by joining Team Lustgarten for the TCS New York City Marathon, a 26.2-mile run through the five boroughs of New York City on November 3^rd. He has already raised more than $15,000 for the Lustgarten Foundation. “I’m honored to represent the Lustgarten Foundation, surrounded by my family cheering me on, and knowing my grandmother would be so proud of me,” Aden shared. “Looking down at my purple wristband keeps me motivated to persevere through my marathon training for Team Lustgarten. There’s just no other charity or cause that I feel as close to or more passionate about.”