memorial donations

Here is a picture of Gerald when he was in his early 20s and in the Navy. He lived life wild and his way, and had one of the most beautiful smiles I've seen. He was buried in a KISS t-shirt and sweats, and they played "Higher" by Creed at the service. (Link here, then click on the song "Higher" for a clip).

Several people have asked about ideas for places to send donations in honor of Gerald, so I'm posting the information here. Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive and deadly disease, largely because by the time it is large enough to be detected by conventional methods, it has progressed to the point where it is difficult or impossible to treat. About 32,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year, and about an equal number die. The 5-year survival rate is about 4%.

The Nathan S. Arenson fund was set up by a family in honor of their husband/father, who died of pancreatic cancer in 1995. The fund has raised more than half a million dollars so far, with 100% of the proceeds sent on directly to fund research. The fund has been set up in support of Dr. Olivera Finn, professor and chair of the Department of Immunology at the University of Pittsburg and a researcher at the University of Pittsburg Cancer Institute. Her research is focused on using the immune system for early diagnosis of the disease, and for prevention of cancer progression.

If you would like to make a donation in the name of Gerald Ray Olson, it can be sent to this address.