Tony Winner Honors Late Wife by Raising $1 Million for Pancreatic Cancer Research

The Tony Award-winning family of star James Naughton raised $1 million to fund a groundbreaking new pancreatic cancer study in honor of his late wife who passed away from the disease.

It was both a magical and a moving evening with standing ovations for the James Naughton Family following their amazing performances at the SRO Tribute to Pamela event held May 7th at the Westport Playhouse. The benefit event, honoring the legacy of Naughton's late wife Pamela, drew more than 400 attendees whose generosity raised over $1 million for pancreatic cancer research at Western Connecticut Health Network's three hospitals: Norwalk Hospital, Danbury Hospital and New Milford Hospital.

Proceeds from A Tribute to Pamela will support a landmark, three-year pancreatic cancer research study at WCHN being led by Richard C. Frank, MD, a hematologist/oncologist at Norwalk Hospital's C. Anthony and Jean Whittingham Cancer Center and Director of Clinical Cancer Research at WCHN.

The Tony Award-winning star of theater, film and television James Naughton of Weston and his family hosted A Tribute to Pamela, an evening of musical entertainment to benefit promising new research aimed at the early detection of pancreatic cancer. The evening featured solos, duets and group performances by Naughton and his family, including daughter Keira, a Broadway and television actress; son Greg, a producer, actor, singer and songwriter; and daughter-in-law Kelli O'Hara, a Broadway superstar who won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Anna in the King and I.

Although pancreatic cancer is curable when detected at a very early stage, no effective means currently exist for pancreatic cancer screening in the general population, and pancreatic cancer causes few symptoms until in its latest stages.

Focused on individuals with a family history of pancreatic cancer and those with recent-onset diabetes mellitus, WCHN's research study explores the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a screening tool to detect early pancreatic cancer. The study will also create a serum bio-bank with the potential to support the development of novel biomarkers for use in detecting pancreatic cancer at its earliest stages. For more information about the WCHN research study, call 203-855-3517.

Western Connecticut Health Network is the region's premier, patient-centered health care organization serving residents of Western Connecticut and adjacent New York. The organization is anchored by three nationally recognized hospitals, Danbury Hospital, New Milford Hospital and Norwalk Hospital, and their affiliated organizations. The continuum of care offered includes numerous Western Connecticut Medical Group medical and sub-specialty practices, home health care services, a nationally renowned biomedical research institute, the Danbury Hospital & New Milford Hospital Foundation, the Norwalk Hospital Foundation and other affiliates. For more information, visit WCHN.org. Share your comments with us at Facebook.com/DanburyHospital; Facebook.com/NewMilfordHospital and/or Facebook.com/NorwalkHospital.

Pictured: Greg Naughton, Producer, Actor, Singer/Songwriter, Keira Naughton Forgash, Broadway and Television Actress, Kelli O'Hara Naughton, Tony Award-Winning Actress and Broadway Star, James Naughton, Tony Award-Winning Star of Theater, Film and Television, raised $1 million for pancreatic cancer research at A Tribute to Pamela benefit concert on May 7 in Connecticut.

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