PurpleStride Milwaukee 2012 is June 2

The Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 2012. The two-mile walk through Lakeshore State Park will take place on Saturday, June 2, 2012.

“PurpleStride Milwaukee, 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 Laura Cross Affiliate Coordinator. This year we are pleased to announce that Green Bay Packer player Jarius Wynn is honorary chair of PurpleStride Milwaukee. We are so grateful to have supporters like Jarius who have not been personally affected by the disease but are compelled to join the fight, recognizing how horrible and difficult pancreatic cancer is."

Pancreatic cancer survivors, loved ones, friends, and supporters are invited to attend the event which will include music, kids activities, along with complementary snacks and beverages. Registration begins at 7:30am and the event begins at 9am.To register, visit www.purplestride.org/milwaukee.

PurpleStride Milwaukee 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.

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 Milwaukee Affiliate, visit www.pancan.org.