Generosity of Spirit

Frank & Bonnie of Rivertown Fine Wine & Spirits Visit Washington DC on a quest to help PANCAN!

What is the secret to a long life? Well, some would say happy memories, connections, gratitude and the beautiful, strong fighting spirit of survivors who never give up but instead turn around and use their experience to help others.
    Bonnie and Frank Dvoravic, Owners of Rivertown Fine Wine & Spirits know first hand that life is precious.  Bonnie is a 12-year survivor of pancreatic cancer, and she and Frank are passionate about increasing awareness and raising money to help others beat this terrible disease.
    For the past two years, Frank and Bonnie have raised funds for PANCAN through auctions at their store on County Road 210 West in St. Johns, (near Publix).  To date, they have raised over $34,000 for research.  They are often blown away and truly grateful to our community for their support.
    In October, they will feature an auction of special items with one-hundred percent of proceeds going to PANCAN. Some of the items include a Fireball ice chest, Jagermeister ice chest, a Titos cooler and more. Plus, just arrived, a 12-year-old Elijah Craig barrel of bourbon created exclusively for Rivertown (part of the sale of each bottle will go to PANCAN).
    This summer Frank and Bonnie took a journey that led them to Washington DC to advocate for PANCAN, The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  Along the way, they visited family and friends from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, including Frank’s 96-year-old “Uncle Frank” whom he had not seen in fifty years. His advice for a long life was to take vitamins, baby aspirin, chocolate kisses and two Coca-Colas a day.          
    The experience reminded them how blessed they are to be here enjoying the life they have built, a life that includes a beautiful riverfront home, time spent with their children and grandchildren, and a successful family business.

Uncle Frank

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     In Washington DC over 600 survivors and family members from PANCAN visited US Representative John Rutherford & representatives of Senator Bill Nelson, and Senator Marco Rubio.  Meeting with legislators was empowering. Survivors were able to share their stories so legislators really understand what families experience when they are faced with a disease that according to PANCAN statistics takes 91 percent of its victims within five years and kills more people than breast cancer in the United States.
    The goal of advocacy at the national level is to double the survival rate by 2020. One of the main challenges for pancreatic cancer is lack of early detection.  There are few symptoms and no test exists to warn people they may be genetically inclined to get the disease. Although it is the second most common cancer it does not have funding earmarked for research to find a cure.  Increased funding would help researchers develop a test so that early detection would be possible.
    Efforts like Frank & Bonnie’s in-store Auctions and larger events such as the PurpleStride walks and runs held across the country continue to help researchers find answers to this devastating disease.