Join The Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer At PurpleStride New York City

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Apr 02, 2015, 06:08 ET

NEW YORK, April 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Currently only seven percent of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States will survive more than five years. More than 3,000 people will join in the movement to change the future for this disease and double pancreatic cancer survival by 2020, at PurpleStride New York City. The timed run and awareness walk will take place on Saturday, April 11 to raise awareness and funds to support the mission of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to advance research, support patients and create hope.

Join the fight against pancreatic cancer at PurpleStride New York City, a 5K timed run and awareness walk taking place on April 11, 2015 at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The event will raise awareness and funds to support the mission of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to advance research, support patients and create hope.

Samantha Myers, Affiliate Chair for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's New York City Affiliate, attending a New York Yankees baseball game with her father, Dick Myers, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer a few short months after diagnosis.

PurpleStride New York City 2014 participants with Samantha Myers, Affiliate Chair for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's New York City Affiliate. As Captain of "Team Myers", Samantha will be joined by friends and family in honor of her father at PurpleStride New York City 2015 on April 11, 2015 at Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

To learn more and register visit purplestride.org.

Like so many touched by pancreatic cancer, New York resident Samantha Myers is more familiar with the statistics of the disease than she would like. Her father, Dick Myers, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on his 66^th birthday a few short months after diagnosis – and just a month before he was to walk her down the aisle at her wedding. Samantha has since joined the fight against pancreatic cancer as Affiliate Chair for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's New York City Affiliate. As Captain of "Team Myers", Samantha will be joined by friends and family in honor of her father on event day.

"PurpleStride New York City is an uplifting day meant to create hope and encouragement for people who've been affected by pancreatic cancer," said Myers. "We will come together not only as a tribute to those we have lost to this disease, like my dad, but to honor and inspire those in our community who are bravely facing pancreatic cancer today."

PurpleStride New York City event details:

Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Prospect Park in Brooklyn
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the event will start at 9:15 a.m.
5K timed run or awareness walk
Family friendly activities throughout the day
Special guest – Celebrity Chef Michael Ferraro, Executive Chef and partner of the popular SOHO restaurant Delicatessen. Chef Ferraro has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and the Cooking Channel and has competed on The Food Network's Chopped and Iron Chef America. He partnered with Celgene, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and Meals to Heal to create "Cooking. Comfort. Care. Nourishment for the Pancreatic Cancer Fight," an education and awareness program that highlights the unique nutritional needs faced by people living with pancreatic cancer.

This year, it is estimated 48,960 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and approximately 40,560 will die from the disease. It is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. A study by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, published in the journal Cancer Research, predicts that by 2020 pancreatic cancer will surpass breast and colorectal cancer to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the New York City Affiliate, please visit pancan.org.

Follow us: www.facebook.com/jointhefight
Watch us: www.youtube.com/StopPancreaticCancer
Tweet us: @pancan & #PurpleStride
Instagram us: @pancan #PurpleStride

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 change outcomes for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double the Survival for Pancreatic Cancer 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.

Regional Gold Sponsor:

Halozyme Therapeutics

National Silver Sponsors:

Celgene

AbbVie

Contact:
Faith See
Public Relations Manager
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Direct: (310)-706-3369
Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network