RESERVE — Reserve native Mary Cassagne Cicet passed away from pancreatic cancer at 68 years old in 2014, leaving behind a husband and three children. Her sister, Paula Cassagne Roussel, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year at the same age.

Those closest to Paula say she is a trooper, and she has maintained a positive attitude despite the circumstances.

Now the sisters’ family, friends and supporters are taking a stand to fight back against the dreadful disease. According to Paula’s daughter, Caroline Courcelle, Sister Squad was formed after the family participated in a September PurpleStride Walk to end pancreatic cancer.

“They raise money for research, and we decided we are going to do it as a group,” Courcelle said. “We decided after the walk that we are going to raise more money for next year. My mom didn’t want any money directly. She said she wants everything to go to research to help find some kind of cure for this gross disease.”

All the money raised from Saturday’s Sister Squad fundraiser will go toward a large lump sum donation to benefit pancreatic cancer research. The fundraiser will be held at Reserve Bantam, located at 312 Railroad Avenue.

The day of fun will include a cabbage ball tournament, a car show and a cook-off open to all, in addition to raffles, face painting and other family activities.

No one needs to worry about missing the big LSU game against Texas A&M. There will be a big screen TV on-site streaming the game Saturday evening.

However, the fun starts at 8 a.m. with the cabbage ball tournament. The deadline for entry has been extended to Friday, and the tournament will be played in a double elimination style with the winning team receiving a trophy.

The entry fee is $150 for a co-ed team of five women and five men. Phillip Vaccaro is coordinating the tournament. To sign up, contact Vaccaro at 504-915-3999.

Great weather is in the forecast, and Vaccaro encourages all to come out.

“It’s a fun day to help support a good cause,” Vaccaro said. “One of the people it is being held for is my daughter’s grandmother. It’s close to home for me in who it is affecting. It’s a terrible disease, and we are doing what we can to help find a cure.”

A classic car show will be held in front of Riverside Academy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entry fee is only $10 to join. Judges will award first and second place, and Paula Roussel will extend an award to her personal favorite entry. The public will have an opportunity to purchase tickets to pick the people’s choice winner.

Sign up for the car show and the cook-off is open the morning of the event.

Chefs will supply dishes, and guests can purchase tickets to taste and judge the specially prepared food. First, second and people’s choice awards will be offered.

Courcelle said her mother has kept a positive mindset throughout her treatment thus far.

“At her last visit, her numbers were down, and the spots on her liver are pretty much gone,” Courcelle said. “The mass on her pancreas did shrink. She’s gotten great news.”

Saturday’s fundraiser will also feature educational materials and brochures detailing the symptoms and risk factors of pancreatic cancer. Courcelle said her family has undergone screening as a precaution since the disease can be hereditary.

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related death in the world, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. The disease kills more people than breast cancer nationwide.

Symptoms can include pain in the abdomen or back, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or eyes, loss of appetite, nausea, change in stool or recent-onset diabetes. For more information about pancreatic cancer, visit pancan.org.

For more information on the Sister Squad fundraiser, please call Courcelle at 504-628-2435.