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

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Apr 12, 2016, 02:46 ET

WARWICK, R.I., April 12, 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 Rhode Island Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is inviting the community to attend PurpleStride Rhode Island presented by Ocean State Job Lot. The volunteer-led community celebration taking place on Sunday, May 1, at Goddard 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/rhodeisland.

"When my father was diagnosed in 2012, I felt very lost and did not know where to turn," stated Amy Vincenzi, PurpleStride Chair of the Rhode Island Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "After attending a Pancreatic Cancer Action Network event, I knew I had to do what I could in my state to raise awareness, increase fundraising and to help others facing pancreatic cancer."

Amy fulfills this mission by volunteering as PurpleStride Chair for the local affiliate.

"PurpleStride raises awareness across Rhode Island by bringing family and friends together to support pancreatic cancer survivors, and to honor loved ones who have lost the battle," said Vincenzi. "The community comes together to fundraise with a goal of one day finding better treatment options that will ultimately help us to find a cure."

The family-friendly 1.5 mile awareness walk/run will include:

Registration at 8 a.m., event begins at 10 a.m.
Kid-friendly activities and "purple play zone"
Hosted by WPRI's "The Rhode Show" anchors Will Gilbert and Michaela Johnson
Presenting Sponsor: Ocean State Job Lot
Gold Sponsor: WPRI / Fox Providence
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 Rhode Island 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
Email: [email protected]

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

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network