FOR MOM—Sisters Jessica, left, and Kristen Bardwil, right, join the Lustgarten Foundation in sponsoring a race in honor of their mother, Pamela, center, who died of pancreatic cancer in February 2008. A special kick-off event will be held Jan. 17. On Feb. 11, more than 1,000 people will join two daughters whose mother died of pancreatic cancer to remember those affected by the disease.

On the fourth anniversary of Pamela Bardwil’s death, her daughters, Kristen and Jessica, will join the Lustgarten Foundation, a private funder of pancreatic cancer research, for the fourth annual Pancreatic Cancer Research Run in Westlake Village, a 5K/10K walk/run that aims to raise funds for medical research.

The event, formerly known as PAM’s Run, will officially kick off at 5 p.m. Jan. 17 at Hugo’s restaurant in the Agoura Hills Whizin Market Square.

Since Kristen and Jessica started the event four years ago, the run has grown from a family and friend-supported event and personal mission to one that embraces the pancreatic cancer community at large.

The 2011 event raised more than $ 120,000 for research, and the organizers say they hope to see it grow. All proceeds from the 2012 race will benefit cancer research.

“We started this event because we knew that there is so little funding for pancreatic cancer research,” Jessica Bardwil said. “We learned so much about this disease when our mom was diagnosed. We learned that pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in this country.

“This year more than 44,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and nearly 38,000 will die from it. The oneyear survival rate is 26 percent and the five-year survival rate is 6 percent. There is no early diagnosis, no effective treatment and, unless detected early enough, there is no cure. It is only through research that we will find a cure.”

“We want to raise awareness about the disease while celebrating our mom’s life,” said Kristen Bardwil. “It’s a perfect way to capture her energy and spirit. She was an avid runner throughout her adult life, competing in countless 10K races, half-marathons and a marathon.”

The Feb. 11 fundraising races will start at 8 a.m. at Westlake Village City Hall, 31200 Oak Crest Drive.

“It is because of friends like Kristen and Jessica, the Bardwil family and all of the individuals and organizations who participate at these kinds of community events that the Lustgarten Foun- dation has been able to provide $38 million for leading research, in the fight against pancreatic cancer,” said Ann Walsh, Lustgarten Foundation director of events.

The disease has also claimed the lives of Luciano Pavarotti and Steve Jobs, among thousands of others.

The Lustgar- ten Foundation was founded in 1998 by Marc Lustgarten, former vice chair of Cablevision

Systems Corp. and chair of Madison Square Garden, who died of pancreatic cancer in 1999, and Charles F. Dolan, chair of Cablevision Systems Corp.

This year’s event will feature live music, an expo and food for the whole family.

A VIP breakfast will be catered for those individuals who raise a minimum of $1,000.

The Kids Corner will feature valentine crafts and face painting.

For more information and registration, visit www.lustgarten.org or call (866) 789-1000.