Saugus family marches on in fight against cancer

SAUGUS – Saugus resident Joann Webster lost her husband David to a rare form of cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma, which affects the bile duct.Webster said when he was diagnosed in June of 2011, it was a short, five-month battle before her husband died.?It was horrific,” she said. “It?s a cancer where once it?s diagnosed, it?s too late. It?s so rare and there isn?t money that goes into the research.”But while Joann Webster said it was a devastating loss for her and her kids, the Webster family almost immediately took action and began raising money for TargetCancer, a non-profit which raises money for rare cancers.?We did a Saugus walk event last year where we raised $30,000,” said Webster. “And we?re planning one for June 14 and we?re going to call it Target the Darkness. We want to have it at the middle school and use World Series Park. It will be like a step off for almost like a relay for life.”Webster will also be raising money this weekend at Founders Day with a TargetCancer booth.Local children?s author Maryellen Ruggiero will be on hand to do a book signing at the table from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. with all proceeds going directly to TargetCancer.Webster, who along with her brother Chris, is a board member of TargetCancer, said the group is focused on funding “under-researched cancers” and works directly with scientists.?What happens is, if people don?t know the cancer a lot of money doesn?t go towards it,” she said. “Since my husband was diagnosed, I know four people, personally, who have battled this disease. And for something that is rare, one in 200,000, this is a cluster. I?m still recovering from all this and haven?t really done anything yet, but we gotta find out what?s going on here.”Webster said she will also be promoting next year?s Target the Darkness event on Saturday and will be selling refreshments.?They?re going to have water and corn on the cob, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries is donating shelled peanuts,” said Webster. “We?re going to have popcorn and iced coffee and iced tea. But my main focus is to just have a presence and be able to talk. We also have a DVD of last year?s walk and will have arm bands and save the date cards.”The 34th Annual Founders Day will take place in front of Town Hall on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.More information on TargetCancer can be found at targetcancer.info.