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

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Apr 13, 2016, 01:59 ET

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 13, 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 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 Kansas City Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is inviting the community to attend PurpleStride Kansas City presented by Lockton. The volunteer-led community celebration taking place on Saturday, May 14, through Theis 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/kansascity.

Jake Coleman, Media Relations Chair of the Kansas City Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, volunteered at the very first PurpleStride Kansas City event in 2011 after his wife's grandmother passed away from the deadly disease.

"Pancreatic cancer is a horrible disease, but it has a beautiful way of uniting those affected," said Coleman. "PurpleStride is not only an opportunity to make progress in the fight, but honor survivors and those who have lost their battle."

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

Registration at 7 a.m., event begins at 8:30 a.m.
Kid-friendly activities and "purple play zone"
Opening ceremony featuring live entertainment
Hosted by independent National Investigative Reporter, Russ Ptacek
Special guest and Honorary Chair, Bradley Lee, Vice President of Country Club Bank
Corporate Champion: LG Homes
Presenting Sponsor: Lockton
Gold Sponsor: Cancer Treatment Centers of America, The Well, Lew's Grill & Bar, Charlie Hooper's, Have a Skate with Bob Foundation, Country Club Bank, North American Savings Bank, Willis Towers Watson
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 Kansas City 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 Kylee Burkholder at [email protected] to receive further press instructions.

Contact:
Kylee Burkholder
Public Relations Associate
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Direct: (310)-706-3516
Mobile: (419)-822641
Email: [email protected]

Video - http://youtu.be/fgfqCmz_4uY
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111004/LA79914LOGO

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network