Nine years ago, Manahawkin resident Andrew Warren lost his father to pancreatic cancer. Last summer, his best friend, Michael Murray, died of the disease at age 52. Warren’s hope is that people in future generations won’t have to suffer the same fate, so he is organizing a “Purple Party” for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Surf City Firehouse.

Tickets are $25 per person and include pig roast, hot and cold buffet, soda, bottled water, coffee and iced tea. Ted Hammock and Surrender Darcy will be providing live entertainment.

“We’ll also be having door prizes,” said Warren. “I’m very grateful for the support of local business.”

Warren said that in researching pancreatic cancer, he noted that of the 44,000 people diagnosed with the disease each year, 75 percent do not survive longer than six months. He also said the disease accounts for only 2 percent of the funds raised annually for cancer research.

“You have varieties of cancer that can be treated if there is early detection,” he said. “Unfortunately, many times when someone is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the disease has reached the point where it is too late to stop it.”

Warren said he was also holding the event to continue the tradition of the “Rainbow Party,” which Laura Say had conducted for 15 years on National Cancer Survivor’s Day. A Barnegat Light resident and Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor, Say discontinued the event this year due to dwindling volunteer help and other logistical problems. During its 15-year run, she said, it raised approximately $250,000 for the Bodine Center for Cancer Research in Philadelphia.

Say said she is glad to assist Warren with the event, which is being co-chaired by Diane Hoover, who was a good friend of Murray.

Say said pancreatic cancer is hard to detect because there is no known blood work that can pinpoint the disease.

“My oncologist’s wife died of pancreatic cancer,” she said. “If it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone.”

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network web site calls it a “silent disease” because symptoms are not present in the early stages.

“Many patients have advanced disease by the time it becomes noticeable to the patient and doctors,” it says. “If symptoms are present, they are often vague. Patients may experience different symptoms depending on the location, type and stage of the tumor. Symptoms that commonly lead to diagnosis include jaundice, back and/or abdominal pain, diabetes, unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.”

Warren said tickets are available at the Surf City Pharmacy and Sure Rehab in Barnegat Light.

For more information, call Warren at 609-709-1309.  —E.E.