Restaurant Takes Aim at Cancer

We alll know about cancer, some of us better than others, having lost loved ones and friends. For the most part, I'm referring to the "biggies:" breast, lung, kidney, bladder, colon, prostate, among others. But Supreme Court Justice Ginsberg can tell you about another class; so can many other Americans.  They have Pancreatic Cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates about 44,000 citizens will be diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer this year and some 37,000 (84%) will die.

It happens that a couple in Alpharetta has made it an avocation to tell the public -- local people, at least -- about thhis silent killer.  Before telling you about them, here's a little more information about Pancreatic Cancer, the fourth deadliest of all cancers. It takes at least a decade after a mutation occurs in a normal pancreas cell to develop a full-fledged cancer cell, according to Christine Iacobuzio-Donahue, M.D., Ph.D., at John's-Hopkins. The "outside" life expectancy, once the cancer blossoms, is five years, according to researchers.

Maria and Antonio Fundora, owners of Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant, in Alpharetta, have been seeking Pancreatic Cancer research monies for nearly four years. Maria's mother died within three months of being diagnosed.  They do it by serving the public good Italian food, crafted by Antonio; Maria hosts, but spends much of her time arranging special events at the Casa to raise awareness and money for research The flag-ship event is the Purple Pansies Gala, an evening of food, wine, spirits auctions and raffles, this year on September 30th. The money raised goes to the JCM Foundation, at the Johns-Hopkins Institute, where significant research takes place under the direction of Dr. Iacobuzio-Donahue at the Hopkins' Sol Goldman Pancreatic Research Center.

Maria and Antonio invite you to stop in anytime for a great meal and learn more about Pancreatic Cancer. 5670 Allanta Hwy., Alpharetta.  casanuovarestaurant@mindspring.com, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter