The Indianapolis affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) invites Hamilton County residents to come together to fuel progress for patients by participating in PanCAN PurpleStride, the ultimate event to end pancreatic cancer.
PanCAN PurpleStride is a national movement that funds life-changing programs and services for pancreatic cancer patients and their families. After two years of virtual fundraising events due to the ongoing pandemic, PurpleStride Indianapolis 2022 will be back in person at White River State Park on Saturday, April 30.
Pancreatic cancer is the world’s deadliest cancer with a five-year survival rate of just 11 percent. It is also the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in America. In 2022, more than 62,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the U.S., and nearly 50,000 will die from the disease – including approximately 1,070 Hoosiers.
For the first time ever, Indianapolis’s PurpleStride walk is coordinated with nearly 60 other communities across the nation for one nationally synchronized PanCAN PurpleStride event with beloved actor, writer and producer, Mindy Kaling, serving as the official ambassador for the nationwide campaign. City-by-city, thousands of supporters will walk the nation in solidarity to raise national awareness and much-needed funds for pancreatic cancer.
PurpleStride Indianapolis’s goal is to raise $185,000. Nationally, PanCAN is aiming to raise $16.5 million. Funds raised through PanCAN PurpleStride provide pancreatic cancer patients with free, personalized information, services and resources that make a real difference in their lives.
“By taking action locally, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of pancreatic cancer patients nationwide,” said Jenny Bivans, chair of PanCAN’s Indianapolis affiliate. “We are committed to continuing to raise vital funds and awareness to support the pancreatic cancer community and we’re looking forward to being back together in person this year to do so!”
While pancreatic cancer has received more attention recently due to many prominent individuals who have passed in recent years, including JEOPARDY! host Alex Trebek, actor Willie Garson, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and U.S. Representative John Lewis, an increase in public awareness and research funding remains critical.
Indianapolis’s PurpleStride event is generously supported by national sponsors, Ipsen and AbbVie, local premier sponsor Charles Schwab, gold sponsor Chateau Kitchens & Home Remodeling, silver sponsors Century 21 Scheetz, Westfield Steel, Inc., and Erie Insurance, and bronze sponsor Hallmark Home Mortgage.
To register for free, donate, or learn more about PurpleStride Indianapolis, visit purplestride.org/Indianapolis.
For more information on the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and its urgent mission to save lives, visit pancan.org or follow PanCAN on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) leads the way in accelerating critical progress for pancreatic cancer patients. PanCAN takes bold action by funding life-saving research, providing personalized patient services and creating a community of supporters and volunteers who will stop at nothing to create a world in which all pancreatic cancer patients will thrive.