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Stan and Ellen Whitt
Becky Hutcherson has two things in mind. First she wants to help her
brother who has just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and
secondly she wants to help educate people about the symptoms of the
disease and how to best recognize them.
This Saturday Becky and her employees at the Hair Hutch, located at 515
North Main Street in South Boston, will be hosting a Cut-A-Thon, a bake
sale and a raffle to help raise funds to help her brother or to donate
to the Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation.
The first prize for the raffle is a three night trip to Gatlinburg, TN
during Memorial Day weekend, the second prize is a $100 gift
certificate to The Bistro and the third prize is a handmade christening
gown made and donated by Joyce Whitt and fourth prize is a butterball
turkey donated by Arthur Construction Company.
"My brother, Stan Whitt, was diagnosed in August with pancreatic cancer
and since then life has been an emotional rollercoster for him and his
family," Becky says. Stan, who is only 47 years old, lives with his
wife, Ellen and their two children, ages 14 and 16 in Knightdale, NC
(just outside Raleigh) where he is employed with Centura Bank as a
computer programmer.
Up until recently he seemed to be the picture of health. But things
have taken a dramatic change for him. Pancreatic cancer, according to
the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, is the fourth leading cause of
cancer death in the United States and the third leading cause of cancer
death among men aged 40-59.
Approximately 37,170 people in the United States will be diagnosed with
the disease this year and the number continues to rise, unlike other
leading cancers where an investment in early detention has led to a
decrease in cancer incidences.
In addition to this Saturday's Cut-A-Thon, another benefit is planned
at the Hyco Ruritan Club on December 1 where a silent auction will be
held and the Liberty Band will be playing and there'll be stew and
barbeque for sale. The stew will be ready by 8:30 a.m. It is the hope
that Stan and his family will be able to come to that event and draw
the winning raffle tickets.
Stan and his family are very appreciative of all that people have done
in supporting them in this cause. "It's not so much about the money, as
it is that hopefully an awareness of this deadly cancer will get out to
the public and a treatment can be developed which will allow victims
to live a longer and more healthful life," Becky said.