Twin Cities Turns Purple to End Pancreatic Cancer on September 16

Pancreatic cancer claims 91 percent of its victims within five years. Of the approximate 980 Minnesotans diagnosed with the disease this year, only 88 will live to see the year 2022. Rose Schneider was one of those Minnesotans who lost her life to the disease.   

Schneider was born and raised in the Twin Cities. In June 1996, she received the devastating diagnosis and, six months later, died at age 68.

Her daughter, Pamela Acosta Marquardt, transformed her loss and grief into hope and founded the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in 1999.

"When my mom was diagnosed, the five-year survival for pancreatic cancer was around four percent and support for patients and caregivers was non-existent," Marquardt said. "I made it my mission to provide hope to people fighting this disease. Who would've thought my mom would inspire the national movement to end pancreatic cancer!"

Today, PanCAN has a nationwide grassroots network of over one million people attacking this disease on all fronts through advocacy, clinical initiatives, research and patient services.

PurpleRideStride Minnesota will take place at Elm Creek Regional Park in Maple Grove and will be hosted by KARE 11 Weekends anchor Camille Williams. In honor of her mother, Marquardt established Team Rose to help raise vital funds and awareness for the event and will stand in solidarity with survivors in attendance.

The event is supported by national presenting sponsor Celgene, national gold sponsor AbbVie and gold media sponsor Like It Matters Radio.

To register, donate or learn more about PurpleRideStride Minnesota, please visit purpleridestride.org.   

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and its signature walk PurpleStride, watch the PurpleStride PSA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfqCmz_4uY&feature=youtu.beand the organization's PSA. Follow PanCAN on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is dedicated to fighting the world's toughest cancer. In our urgent mission to save lives, we attack pancreatic cancer on all fronts: research, clinical initiatives, patient services and advocacy. Our effort is amplified by a nationwide network of grassroots support. We are determined to improve patient outcomes today and to double survival by 2020.

Media Contacts:

Zahra Nealy
Public Relations Specialist
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
(310) 706-3532 | [email protected]

Becca Kvasnik
Media Relations Chair
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – Minnesota Affiliate
(651) 398-7778| [email protected]

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network