Field Day Music Festival funds research for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer death largely because there are no detection tools to diagnose the disease in its early stages when surgical removal of the tumor is still possible, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS) Facts and Figures 2024.

The ACS further states that pancreatic cancer takes 87 percent of its victims within five years and kills more people than breast cancer, as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

The Tallahassee family of the late Judy Field established the Judy Field Memorial Foundation in 2016, created with a home-grown mission to raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research to help fight for other local families facing this difficult battle.

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The 7th annual Field Day Music Festival, named in Judy Field’s honor, presented by Trulieve,will be the largest event yet, and is set for 2-7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, at Maclay Gardens State Park.

This family-friendly music festival will feature live bands including The Lil Smokies, Sugarcane Jane with special guest, Lolly Lee, and local favorite, Revival. Tickets start at $15 for adults and kids 12 and under get in free.

To date, the Judy Field Memorial Foundation has donated more than $100,000 to pancreatic cancer research from Field Day Music Festival proceeds.

While the survival rate has gone up two years in a row, there’s still more work to be done as the Facts & Figures report also reveals that an estimated 66,440 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreaticcancer in 2024, more people than ever before.

According to Judy’s daughter, Katie Pernell, her mother was a vibrant member of the community who succumbed to the deadly disease in 2014 after late detection and a painful battle.

Pernell is passionate about helping support other local families because, “We know that we can make a big difference by funding research for early detection and my mother would be so proud of our efforts to turn her legacy into one that is providing for other members of the Tallahassee community she loved so much.”

Festival goers are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to relax and listen to the music or enjoy the VIP tent, which includes a full dinner, bar and seating areas.

Attendees will be able to get a quick bite at favorite local food trucks or enjoy a beverage at the Lake Tribe Beer Garden. Kids will have no trouble staying occupied with a variety of field games to play. Proceeds from the Field Day Music Festival go to the Judy Field Memorial Foundation.

Beloved community stalwart, FSU Coach Bobby Bowden, lost his life to pancreatic cancer in August 2021 and the disease continues to take close to 52,000 Americans per year. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is just 13 percent, making it the lowest survival rate of any major cancer.

The Judy Field Memorial Foundation is determined to make an impact on the pancreatic cancer community and Tallahassee families affected by the disease. For more information and to purchase tickets visit FieldDayTallahassee.com.

If you go

What: The 7th annual Field Day Music Festival

When: 2-7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25

Where: Maclay Gardens State Park, 3540 Thomasville Road

Tickets: Starting at $15; visit fielddaytallahassee.com

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Field Day Music Fest funds $100K in research for pancreatic cancer