A 72-year-old pancreatic cancer survivor helped kick off the Lustgarten Foundation's virtual Long Island walk Thursday to raise money for pancreatic cancer research.

The annual walk is usually held at Jones Beach, but due to the pandemic it will be virtual on Oct. 4.

Joel Evans, of Commack, was diagnosed five years ago, but after a complex surgery and chemotherapy he's now cancer free.

"Ever since I had the surgery I think a lot of people have this, but I had a transformation of what became important to me, and I feel no just responsible to give back but required," says Evans.

Evans was also reunited with the Northwell surgeon who saved his life.

The Lustgarten Foundation was established by Marc Lustgarten and his Cablevision colleagues after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1998. Lustgarten lost his battle with cancer the following year.