AmeriCymru Promotes Awareness of Pancreatic Cancer

“ Story of Justin Smith Highlighted on American Welsh Website ”

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(eMusicWire.Org) – Portland, OR – As related on AmeriCymru.com, Justin Smith, son of Welsh actor Ray Smith, and member of glam rock band Tigertailz, recently succumbed to pancreatic cancer after being diagnosed in 2006. His wife, Shan Cothi, an accomplished operatic singer and actress, has started a charity in Wales designed to raise funds to fight pancreatic cancer. Many fund raising events will be held throughout August and September. So far, £5,451.36 have been raised as shown on http://www.amserjustintime.org.

A close friend of Smith and Cothi’s, noted Welsh actor Huw Davies sent out an impassioned letter requesting help for the new charity. A large portion of the letter follows:

“In 2006, Justin Smith (son of Welsh actor Ray Smith) an extremely talented film director/editor and musician/composer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“Shan and close friends have set up a registered charity in his name to raise awareness and money for research into this cruel disease. Shan, sadly Justin's wife for only one month, leads this charity to help save others from their suffering - just in time.

“The money raised will provide care and support for pancreatic cancer patients and their families in Wales, as well as funding the medical profession for investigation and research into pancreatic cancer.

“The charity will be officially launched on August Bank Holiday Monday, the day after she has sung with Bryn Terfel at his Faenol Festival. Shan and a group of friends will ride back to South Wales on their horses, trekking for three weeks. Fund raising events have been arranged along the way. At the Pavilion Pontrhydfendigaid, Rebecca Evans and Rhys Meirion will join for a magnificent concert and a gig as a finale at The Point in Cardiff on September 18th.

“I do hope you can find it within yourselves to support this worthwhile cause, and to reward the huge voluntary efforts of Shan and her friends by either buying and downloading the song ‘I Believe’ or by giving a donation.”

To read the entire letter by Huw Davies and to obtain more information about how you can help, go to http://americymru.ning.com/group/shancothi. For more information on Welsh-American activities, visit http://americymru.ning.com and www.americymru.com. Americymru simply means “American Welsh.”