More Than 5,000 Supporters Expected to Join the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer at PurpleStride Washington D.C. Walk/Run on June 14th at Freedom Plaza Presented by the Eileen McCarthy Gallant Family

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Jun 10, 2014, 06:00 ET

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 5,000 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 Washington, D.C. 2014 presented by the Eileen McCarthy Gallant Family on June 14.

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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 participating in the timed run or making strides during the awareness walk on a 5K course starting at Freedom Plaza. Registration opens at 6:30 am and the event begins at 8:00am.To register, visit www.purplestride.org/dc2014.

"PurpleStride Washington, D.C. 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 Anne Shimabukuro, pancreatic cancer survivor and volunteer for the National Capitol Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "Pancreatic cancer touched my life eight and a half years ago when I was diagnosed. The news was a shock and as a mother of two young girls I was worried about what the future would hold for my family and me. After a long journey I am grateful to say that I am cancer free. Since being touched by this disease I have become deeply committed to supporting the organization in its effort to double pancreatic cancer survival by 2020. We are working together to provide real hope to those who have been touched by this insidious disease."

This year, more than 46,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. 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. Pancreatic cancer is anticipated to move from the fourth to the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States by 2020.

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. Participants and supporters at PurpleStride Washington, D.C. 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.

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the National Capitol 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 survival for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative —The Vision of Progress: Double Pancreatic Cancer Survival 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 and better treatments and increase chances of survival.

Presenting Sponsor:

The Eileen McCarthy Gallant Family

Affiliate Gold Sponsor:

Kovler Fund of CFNCR

Gold Sponsor:

NewLink Genetics

ABC 7 WJLA-TV

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SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network