Freedom Plaza To Turn Purple In The Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer At PurpleStride Washington, D.C.

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Jun 03, 2016, 01:03 ET

WASHINGTON, June 3, 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 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 Washington, D.C. Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is inviting the community to attend PurpleStride Washington, D.C. The volunteer-led community celebration taking place on Sat., June 11, through Freedom Plaza 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/dc.

"We are united in the mission to Wage Hope for early detection methods, better treatments, and a cure for pancreatic cancer," said Bonnie MacDonald, PurpleStride Chair of the National Capital Area Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "This event is one of the largest PurpleStride in the country and every stride we make directly impacts the course of this disease. Our community needs this uplifting celebration of hope that unites families affected by the deadliest cancer. It's time to take action against pancreatic cancer and make vigorous steps to double survival by 2020!"

The family-friendly 5K timed awareness walk/run will include:

Registration at 6:30 a.m., event begins at 8:00 a.m.
Kid-friendly activities and "purple play zone"
Opening ceremony featuring live entertainment
WJLA ABC 7, NewsChannel 8 reporter Cheryl Connor to emcee
Honorary Chair: Nadim G. Haddad, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
National Presenting Sponsor: Celgene
Affiliate Gold Sponsor: Kovler Fund of CFNCR
National Silver Sponsor: AbbVie
Gold Media Sponsor: WJLA ABC 7, NewsChannel 8

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 National Capital Area 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 Jennifer Rose-Utley at [email protected] to receive further press instructions.

Contact:
Jennifer Rose-Utley
Media Relations Chair
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – National Capital Area Affiliate
Direct: (301) 520-6891
Email: [email protected]

Video - https://youtu.be/fgfqCmz_4uY

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111004/LA79914LOGO

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network