Ian Laperriere Joins The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network And Thousands Of Participants At PurpleStride Philadelphia On November 9th

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Nov 05, 2013, 09:00 ET

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 4,500 people will run and walk a 5K course to raise funds and awareness about pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, at PurpleStride Philadelphia 2013 on November 9, 2013.

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"PurpleStride Philadelphia is meant as a day of hope and inspiration for people who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer as well as a tribute to people who have passed away from this terrible disease," said Marisa Sharkey, a spokesperson for the volunteers of the Philadelphia Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "We are honored to have former NHL player and recently announced Philadelphia Flyers Assistant Coach, Ian Laperriere join us as Champion of Hope at this year's event. We are working together to provide real hope to those who have been touched by this insidious disease."

"Pancreatic cancer touched my life when my father, Michael was diagnosed at the young age of 52. He fought bravely but eventually lost is battle with pancreatic cancer," stated Champion of Hope Ian Laperriere. "After learning more about this devastating disease I have become deeply committed to supporting the organization in its effort to double the survival rate of pancreatic cancer by 2020. That is why I was happy to support local efforts by joining PurpleStride Philadelphia as Champion of Hope."

The event will benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. Participants have their choice of making strides in a timed run or awareness walk on a 5K course winding through Fairmount Park. The event will include music and family friendly festivities throughout the day. Registration begins at 6:00 am and the event start at 7:30 am.To register, visit www.purplestride.org/philadelphia.

"Money raised helps fund personalized support for patients, their families and caregivers, as well as supporting research that will hopefully lead to better treatment options to increase survival for pancreatic cancer patients. We will be joining tens of thousands of people across the country who are taking part in more than 50 PurpleStride events this year and are proud to share one common goal – to end pancreatic cancer," Laperriere said.

Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of all major cancers - 73 percent die within one year of diagnosis and the five-year survival rate is just six percent. A recent report indicates that pancreatic cancer is anticipated to move from the fourth to the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States by 2020. This devastating disease has claimed the lives of many public figures, including Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, actor Patrick Swayze, physicist and first American woman in space, Sally Ride, Nobel Prize winner Dr. Ralph Steinman, Carnegie Mellon University Professor Dr. Randy Pausch, actor Michael Landon, and opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Philadelphia Affiliate, visit www.pancan.org.

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 the survival rate for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative—The Vision of Progress: Double the Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate by 2020. Together, we can know, fight and end pancreatic cancer by intensifying our efforts to heighten awareness, raise funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for dedicated federal research to advance early diagnostics, better treatments and increase chances of survival.

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SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network