Community Corner

PurpleStride 5KRun, 1-Mile Walk

The Cleveland Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure, announces PurpleStride Cleveland 2012. The 1 mile walk / 5K run through the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2012.

“PurpleStride Cleveland, planned entirely by local volunteers, is a day filled with hope and inspiration for participants while supporting important work being done by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network,” stated Megan Graham, Event Coordinator. “This year we are pleased to announce that the event will be held at the beautiful Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with time for registered participants to enjoy everything our Zoo has to offer following the conclusion of the event.”

Pancreatic cancer survivors, loved ones, friends, and supporters are invited to attend the event which will include a raffle and other family friendly festivities throughout the day. Registration begins at 7 am with opening ceremonies hosted by our own WEWS news man, Joe Pagonakis at 8:15 a.m. Runners will start at 8:45 a.m., walkers at 9:15 a.m. and closing ceremonies will begin at 10:00 a.m. Following the event, all registered participants can enjoy the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for the rest of the day, as admission is included with your registration fee! To register, visit www.purplestride.org.

Find out what's happening in Strongsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

PurpleStride Cleveland is among 50 PurpleStride events taking place this year in communities across the country where tens of thousands of people will make strides towards a cure for pancreatic cancer. PurpleStride events contribute millions of dollars toward the mission of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to advance research, support patients and create hope. Money raised helps fund personalized support for patients, their families and their caregivers. The events also support research grants and advocacy efforts to increase federal pancreatic cancer research funding.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and has the lowest relative survival rate among leading cancer killers. This devastating disease has claimed the lives of many public figures, including Apple co- founder Steve Jobs, actor Patrick Swayze, Nobel Prize winner Dr. Ralph Steinman, Carnegie Mellon University Professor Dr. Randy Pausch, actor Michael Landon, and opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

Find out what's happening in Strongsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This year, nearly 44,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and more than 37,000 will die from the disease. The five-year relative survival rate is just six percent and has remained largely unchanged in the last forty years because early detection tools and effective treatments have yet to be developed. Despite these sobering statistics, approximately two percent of the National Cancer Institute’s federal research funding is allocated to pancreatic cancer.

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Cleveland Affiliate, visit www.pancan.org.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Strongsville