Bar mitzvah project supports cancer research

CHALLENGE—From left, Jake Johnson and Nick Winters, Lindero Canyon Middle School seventh-graders, are raising money to support pancreatic cancer research. The boys have collected almost $5,000 so far. Jake Johnson and Nick Winters, both age 12 and seventhgraders at Lindero Canyon Middle School, are raising funds for pancreatic cancer research. Both boys are from Westlake Village.

They will sell lemonade and baked goods at a stand in front of Three Springs in Westlake Village from 1 to 4 p.m. Sun., Oct. 19 to raise donations.

The boys are doing this as part of the mitzvah (charity) projects for their respective bar mitzvahs next year, Jake at Temple Beth Haverim and Nick at Temple Adat Elohim.

"I've lost three great uncles to cancer, two of whom died just recently," said Jake. "I've also lost two great-grandparents to cancer and even have a cousin who battled leukemia. All of this has impacted me greatly. One thing I can do to help is raise money for cancer research to advance technology and save lives."

Nick recently visited a lifetime friend of his grandparents. "Less than one month later we received the news that she had passed away. She died of pancreatic cancer. I was bewildered that someone who seemed so healthy a few weeks earlier could be gone in such a short time. In talking to my parents about this I found out that my great-grandfather had also died of pancreatic cancer."

They have also set up a team called "Nick and Jake" and are in the top five rankings for the Hirschberg Foundation Run/ Walk taking place in West Los Angeles on Sun., Oct. 26. They have raised almost $5,000.

To sponsor the boys in the run or to sign up to participate, go to www.lacancerchallenge.com.