My charity of choice: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN)

Pancreatic Cancer is one of the most under-funded, under-recognized and least researched cancers.  As the fourth most deadliest cancer (categorized by most number of deaths), it still has a single-digit survival rate with not enough funds or media attention to help increase it.  I didn't become aware of the PanCAN charity until I discovered that it was the very cancer that took my father's life 20 years ago.  At the age of seven I just knew that he was never coming back, nevermind what a pancreas was.  Now that I'm older, the details matter. 

Finally growing out of my childhood ignorance of my father's death, I asked my mom about the 6 month period from the time he was diagnosed up until he passed.  He was already in Stage 3 when they diagnosed him and the survival rate was only 2-3%.  I remember his shaved head and the pointy cheekbones that developed when he lost weight.  What I didn't see was his throwing up, bottles of pills and hours spent sitting in a chair getting chemotherapy. Through it all, he still gave us piggy back rides knowing that he wasn't going to be on earth much longer.

I came across the PanCAN charity when I made a conscious decision to live a more active life three years ago.  Out of the handful of 5k races I ran, I connected with this one the most because I ran for my father. They had a small, humble group of runners and walkers. Nowhere did it gain the amount of support like breast cancer did but I was proud to don my PurpleStride shirt because I was supporting a charity that could one day save the life of another, provide research that can one day cure or prolong the life of hundreds more where before the chances of living were almost nil.  

Their vision is to double the survival rate from 6% to 12% by the year 2020.  They have made massive political strides when Obama signed the Cancer Recalcitrant Research Act on Jan. 3, 2013 requiring the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to examine its current research efforts on cancers with very low survival rates.  Development of early detection methods and better treatment options are non-existent for pancreatic cancer patients -- this is the first legislation signed that targets benefits for pancreatic cancer. 

So let's make more strides with NYC PurpleStride 2013 on April 20, Saturday.  I will be running to honor the memory of my father since his passing 20 years ago.  It will be the first event where my immediate family members are uniting to move forward and change the world.  Wouldn't you want to be apart of doubling pancreatic cancer's survival rate?  To change the statistics?  To save future lives?  Please join my team to run/walk "20 YEARS STRONG" or donate.  Don't let the awareness stop with you, ask a friend to donate or run/walk with you too!  I have a goal to raise at least $5,000 and to recruit at least 50 runners/walkers!

http://purplestride.kintera.org/nyc2013/ctow?faf=1&e=6496984505

April 20, 2013 - Saturday

Riverside Park
103rd & Riverside Dr.
New York, NY 10025

Registration Opens: 8:30 a.m.
Opening Ceremonies: 10:45 a.m.
Run/Walk Begins: 11:00 a.m.
Closing Ceremonies: 12:30 p.m.

 That's not the actual time I finished lol.
For the 2013 PurpleStride picture, I would like my team of at least 50 team members with me!