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Scarsdale Widower Turns Grief Into Action

SCARSDALE, N.Y. -- Scott Hirsh, a Scarsdale resident, wants to make sure no family ever has to go through what his just did.

Scott Hirsh and his family will be participating in the Lustgarten Foundation’s Westchester Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk in honor of his wife Michelle, who passed away last month.

Scott Hirsh and his family will be participating in the Lustgarten Foundation’s Westchester Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk in honor of his wife Michelle, who passed away last month.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Hirsh recently lost his wife Michelle to pancreatic cancer. In her honor, Hirsh will be participating in the Westchester Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk on Sunday, April 23 at Rye Playland Park to benefit the Lustgarten Foundation.

Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest of all major cancers. The survival rate is only eight percent.

Michelle battled pancreatic cancer for 30 months. Despite her diagnosis, she maintained a positive attitude, Hirsh said. 

"She taught us to live an incredible life," Hirsh said. "We had more fun, went on more vacations and visited more beaches in 30 months than most families experience in a lifetime. We took advantage of the 30-month battle."

Michelle was active in raising money for pancreatic cancer until she died. Hirsh said his family has raised more than $400,000 for Lustgarten and is hoping to raise $150,000 this year.

"This is our family mission," Hirsh said. "The only way to stop this is to fund research for a cure for pancreatic cancer."

Hirsh will be walking with his two kids and numerous other family members. The day before the walk would've been Michelle's 51st birthday.

"We're doing a Michelle-Bration," Hirsh said. "We want to celebrate her life and the positive impact she had."

If a family member receives a cancer diagnosis, Hirsh said they reach out to organizations like Lustgarten and connect with people.

"Become an expert in the disease," Hirsh said. "Understand and know your body. Know the best way to treat it. Talk to someone who has gone through it before and been through the process. There's so much I learned, I've been able to help a dozen families. 

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