Ford Field To Turn Purple At PurpleStride Detroit On May 14

Detroit Residents Will Raise Awareness and Funds for the Third-Leading Cause of Cancer Death at PurpleStride Detroit

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Apr 26, 2016, 12:24 ET

DETROIT, April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More patients will die from pancreatic cancer than breast cancer this year, moving pancreatic cancer from the fourth to the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, according to the Cancer Statistics 2016 report, published by the American Cancer Society.

PurpleStride events raise awareness about the critical mission of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and give local residents the opportunity to help make strides toward a better future. The events also contribute millions of dollars toward our mission to advance research, support patients and create hope. Funds raised help provide personalized support for patients and support research grants and advocacy efforts to increase federal pancreatic cancer research funding.

To change the course of this disease, the Detroit Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is inviting the community to attend PurpleStride Detroit. The volunteer-led community celebration is on Sat., May 14, at downtown Detroit's Ford Field stadium and will raise much needed awareness and funds to support the mission of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to advance research, support patients and create hope.

To register and to learn more visit www.purplestride.org/detroit.

"We're saving lives at PurpleStride Detroit," said Marcie Levy, PurpleStride Chair for the Detroit Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "Every stride we make directly impacts the course of this disease. Our community needs this uplifting celebration of hope uniting families affected by this deadliest cancer. It's time to take action against pancreatic cancer and make vigorous steps toward doubling survival by 2020!"

The one mile family-friendly awareness walk/run will include:

Registration at 8 a.m., event begins at 9:30 a.m.
Kid-friendly activities and "purple play zone"
- Large inflatable games including a slide, quaterback toss challenge and field goal kick
Paul Mitchell Beauty School students to host purple hair braiding station
Opening ceremony featuring live music by Byron In Motion
Honorary Co-Chairs include: Robert P. Jury, MD, FACS from Beaumont Health, Philip A. Philip, MD, PhD, PRCP from Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Diane Simeone, MD, from University of Michigan Health System
Gold Media Sponsors: Radio Stations 89X, 93.9 The River
National Presenting Sponsor: Celgene

The American Cancer Society reports an estimated 53,070 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and approximately 41,780 will die from the disease this year.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is working to double survival by 2020 by continuing to directly fund research, advocate for increased funding and resources from the national government, raise awareness through community outreach, and provide excellent patient services and support for novel initiatives like Clinical Trial Finder, Know Your Tumor^SM personalized medicine service and the Patient Registry.

Learn more about how you can support your local Detroit Affiliate and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network by visiting www.pancan.org. Click to view this year's PurpleStride PSA and organizational PSA.

Follow the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on Twitter, Instagram or on Facebook.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase survival for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double Pancreatic Cancer Survival by 2020. To continue to accelerate progress, a goal to raise $200 million by 2020 is also in place. Together, we can Wage Hope and rewrite the future of pancreatic cancer.

FOR MEDIA:
Members of the media are invited to attend the event, interview and photograph participants, volunteers and special guests. Please contact Chastidee Davis at [email protected] to receive further press instructions.

Contact:
Chastidee Davis
Public Relations Manager
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Cell: (917)-468-4294
Email: [email protected]

Video - http://youtu.be/fgfqCmz_4uY
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111004/LA79914LOGO

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network