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Aretha Franklin’s Estate Backs Fund For Pancreatic Cancer Research

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Singer Aretha Franklin’s estate announced a partnership with Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) a year after her death.

The fund backed by Franklin’s estate was launched to help research the form of pancreatic cancer the “Respect” singer died from, according to a report published Monday by Page Six.

Aretha Franklin honored at the 50th NAACP Image Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 30, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Aretha Franklin honored at the 50th NAACP Image Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 30, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

“The Aretha Franklin Family is honored to partner with the NETRF to help raise funding for education and research of this devastating disease that takes our loved ones much too soon,” Franklin’s niece Sabrina Owens said in a statement.

“We encourage her friends, fans, and supporters to consider contributing to this cause, until such time as we can eradicate NETs,” she continued. “We believe this is possible.” (RELATED: Handwriting Expert To Examine Wills Found In Aretha Franklin’s Couch)

CEO of NETRF Elyse Gellerman claimed the research focuses on better understanding the tumors.

“A lot of the work we fund is basic science in the laboratory, learning why these tumors grow and spread,” Gellerman told the Detroit Free Press.

Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Franklin’s estate and NETRF hope the research and funding helps raise more awareness for the disease.

“I know the neuroendocrine tumors community was frustrated when the cause of Aretha Franklin’s death wasn’t correctly reported,” she added.