The Time Is Now To Join The Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer At PurpleStride Birmingham

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Apr 06, 2016, 01:12 ET

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More patients will die from pancreatic cancer than breast cancer this year, moving the disease 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 Birmingham Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is inviting the community to attend PurpleStride Birmingham presented by UAB Medicine. The volunteer-led community celebration taking place on Saturday, April 23, through Veteran's Park 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/birmingham.

Russell Bedsole, Media Relations Chair of the Birmingham Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is all too familiar with pancreatic cancer and the destruction it ensues.

"The 2011 passing of my father-in-law from pancreatic cancer introduced a new reality for my family," stated Russell. "He was taken from us too soon and we knew we had to fight in his honor, and for the others who will be diagnosed in the future."

Now, five years later, pancreatic cancer has invaded the Bedsole family once again.

"We learned just months ago of yet another close family member who was diagnosed with this horrible disease," continued Russell. "With another family member to stand beside in this fight against pancreatic cancer, we again find PurpleStride to be a perfect way to unite with our community as experts desperately search for a cure. I urge everyone to participate in PurpleStride Birmingham and to Wage Hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer."

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

Registration at 8:30 a.m., event begins at 10 a.m.
Kid-friendly activities and "purple play zone"
Opening ceremony featuring live entertainment
Hosted by CBS 42 Morning News co-host Jamie Langley
Presenting Sponsor: UAB Medicine
National Presenting Sponsor: Celgene
National Silver Sponsor: AbbVie

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 Birmingham 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.

Contact:
Kylee Burkholder
Public Relations Associate
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Direct: 310-706-3516
Mobile: 419-822-6417
Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network