At 4:26 P.M., He Stands Up Again: Alexandria Veteran Holds 24-Hour Fight Against Cancer at Pork Barrel BBQ
From Survival to $1 Million Goal: Alexandria Veteran’s 24-Hour Stand Up To Cancer Fundraiser Returns
Alexandria, Va – Patrick ‘Pat’ Malone, a cancer survivor and 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran, is holding his 12th Annual Stand Up To Cancer 24-Hour Fundraiser at Pork Barrel BBQ in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood. Malone continues to hold his 24 hour fundraiser even though he is challenged by a progressive neurologic disease.
The event runs continuously from 4:26 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, to 4:26 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11. The time 4:26 p.m. carries deep personal meaning for Malone, marking the exact time he awoke from life-saving cancer surgery in 2014, a moment he calls his second birthday.
Each year, Malone begins and ends the fundraiser at that exact time to honor the medical professionals at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, where his tumor was removed, and the Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center at Fort Belvoir, where he later underwent 29 radiation treatments.
“Every morning I wake up grateful for the life I still have and painfully aware of how close I came to losing it,.” Malone said. “I remember opening my eyes at 4:26 p.m. after surgery and realizing I had been given more time to live. I don’t know how much mobility I have left, but I know exactly what I’m going to do with the time I’ve been given, and that is to fight cancer.”
The event will be held at Pork Barrel BBQ, 2312 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301. ((703) 822-5699). Bill Blackburn, co-owner of Pork Barrel BBQ, said the restaurant is proud to support Malone. ”Pat Malone and my business partner ‘Mango’ Mike Anderson have been friends since the 80’s. Pork Barrel is proud to support his efforts and look forward to rooting him on next week,” Blackburn said.
Throughout the 24 hours, community members are invited to stop by Pork Barrel BBQ, share support, and participate in Stand Up To Cancer placards, commemorating loved ones who have battled cancer or are still fighting.
100% of donations raised will go directly to Stand Up To Cancer, an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organization funding collaborative cancer research and patient care.
“Cancer doesn’t wait, and neither will we,” Malone said. “Together, as a community, we can change lives. We can save lives. nd we can most definitely stand up to cancer.”
Donations can be made online at: https://fundraise.standuptocancer.org/fundraiser/6856855
