Thousands of patients, families and survivors gathered at Jones Beach on Sunday for the 26th annual Lustgarten Foundation Long Island Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

Among them was Justine Silvestri, who has participated in the walk for 11 years in memory of her husband, Ron, who died from pancreatic cancer nearly 15 years ago.

"It means the absolute world to me because everybody, every year, the support, the donations, they come out in droves after so many years in memory of him," Silvestri told News 12.

Silvestri says she has raised more than $160,000 through the event in her husband's memory.

The Lustgarten Foundation has invested more than $333 million in pancreatic cancer research, funding efforts to develop new treatments and improve patient outcomes.

Organizers say every dollar raised through the walk goes directly toward research efforts.

The organization has raised $825,370 so far, putting it within reach of its $850,000 goal.

For more information or to make a donation, visit the walk's website.