Fight for Bruce Continues On...

Less than a year ago two separate Rochester families each lost someone to pancreatic cancer. Linda Skovbroten lost her sister to the disease and last August I lost my brother-in-law, Bruce Patterson. Individually we struggled with the emotions and the startling statistics of the need for more research on the disease. In an effort to channel our energy into raising funds for research and finding a cure- we have come together through the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to bring an officially sanctioned event to Rochester by holding the first annual Purple Stride walk/run. Please mark your calendar now and plan to join us on September 26th.

PurpleStride Event

The 5K run/walk and 10K timed run will take place on the grounds of Rochester Community & Technical College on Sunday, September 26 to promote awareness and raise funds for pancreatic cancer research. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. by the Field House. The family walk and timed run begins at 10:00 a.m. Upon conclusion of the event a short program will take place honoring those placing in the competition, survivors and noted individuals associated with the cause.

The event is open to the public and will include children's activities, music, silent auction and other festivities. Early-bird registration is $20 and includes a PurpleStride t-shirt if registered by September 4th. To register, visit www.purplestride.org.

About Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer has the highest mortality among leading cancer killers and has claimed the lives of many public figures, including actor Patrick Swayze, former American Medical Association President Dr. Ron Davis, Carnegie Mellon University Professor and author of the international best seller "The Last Lecture" Dr. Randy Pausch, actor Michael Landon, opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti, famed journalist Dith Pran, NFL Players Association President Gene Upshaw, and hall of fame NBA Coach Chuck Daly.

This year, over 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and nearly 37,000 will die. The five-year survival rate is 6 percent and has remained largely unchanged in the last thirty years because early detection tools and effective treatments have yet to be developed. Despite these sobering statistics, less than 2 percent of the National Cancer Institute's federal research funding is currently allocated to pancreatic cancer.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization raises money for direct private funding of research- and advocates for more aggressive federal research funding of medical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and PurpleStride Rochester, visit www.pancan.org.