Event Details
— Colleen Beeler, Strider, Volunteer & Caregiver
We can’t wait to see you at PanCAN PurpleStride Central Florida, Saturday, April 25, 2026!
PurpleStride is an amazing day where survivors, families, caregivers, friends, physicians and researchers celebrate people who are currently affected, honor those we’ve lost and take steps to end pancreatic cancer.
Check out the event village, grab a snack, write on the tribute wall, take pictures with your family and friends in the photo area and be inspired during the opening ceremony before you set off on the walk.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 25, 2026
- Event Village Opens: 7:30 AM
- Opening Ceremony: 8:30 AM
- Walk Begins: 9:00 AM
- Event Concludes: 11:00 AM
LOCATION DETAILS
Eagle Nest Park (final permit pending)
5165 Metrowest Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32811
Directions
To be posted no later than the first week of April.
Parking & Public Transit
Parking is available on-site at Eagle's Nest Park. Additional overflow parking is available at 5353 Metrowest Blvd, Orlando, FL 32811.
For information on public transit options, please visit: https://www.orlando.gov/Parking-Transportation/Public-Transit
Route Map
Want to get familiar with the route before the event? Route Maps will be posted no later than the first week of April.
Pets
We love our pets just as much as you do! However, due to safety and liability reasons, pets are not allowed at Pancreatic Cancer Action Network events. Service animals are welcome.
Accessibility, Safety & Amenities
All of our events are designed to be inclusive and accessible. The event site and route are stroller and wheelchair friendly, making it easy for participants of all mobility levels to join us.
Please note that we do not provide wheelchair rentals, so plan ahead if one is needed. To ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees, bicycles, scooters and motorized vehicles (other than personal mobility devices) are not permitted on the course.
Restrooms will be available at every event location. In addition, water will be provided to keep you hydrated, and many events also offer a small snack for participants.
Thank you for helping us create a safe, comfortable and welcoming experience for everyone!
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registering for PurpleStride will give you access to the PurpleStride Dashboard. Your Dashboard allows you to update your Personal Fundraising Page, track your progress toward your fundraising goal, send pre-written fundraising and thank-you messages, and connect to Facebook Fundraiser.
Register for free today and kickstart your fundraising!
Registered Striders who raise or self-donate:
- $100+ will be sent an official PanCAN PurpleStride 2026 T-shirt.*
- $1,000+ will earn exclusive PanCAN PurpleStride Grand Club 2026 gear.
*Donation(s) must be reflected on your Personal Fundraising Page by Sunday, April 5, 2026, to have your T-shirt mailed in April for receipt by April 25. T-shirts earned between April 6 and May 31 will be mailed after the event. We cannot guarantee USPS delivery dates and are not responsible for any shipping delays. Participant T-shirts will not be available for pick up on event day. For more information, including Survivor & Volunteer T-shirts, visit our FAQs.
T-SHIRT INFORMATION
We’re excited to offer exclusive T-shirts for our incredible community of participants, survivors, and volunteers! Here’s how to make sure you get yours:
Participants:
Everyone who registers and raises or self-donates $100+ as reflected on your Personal Fundraising Page by Sunday, April 5, 2026, will earn an official PanCAN PurpleStride 2026 T-shirt that will be mailed to you in April for receipt by event day. Don’t miss out — raise $100+ early to rock your T-shirt on event day! Didn’t make the April 5 deadline? You can still earn your T-shirt until May 31 and have it shipped post-event!
- Raise $100+ by April 5 to receive your T-shirt by event day.
- Raise $100+ April 6 – 26 to have your T-shirt shipped in May.
- Raise $100+ April 27 to May 31 to have your T-shirt shipped in June.
We cannot guarantee USPS delivery dates and are not responsible for any shipping delays.
Participant T-shirts will not be available for pick up on event day.
Survivors and Volunteers:
Everyone who registers as a survivor or a volunteer by Sunday, April 5, 2026, will be mailed an official PanCAN PurpleStride 2026 Survivor or Volunteer T-shirt in April for receipt by event day, with no fundraising minimum required. This is in addition to the official 2026 T-shirt you receive for raising $100+.
We cannot guarantee USPS delivery dates and are not responsible for any shipping delays.
Survivor or Volunteer T-shirts will not be mailed after Sunday, April 5, 2026. A limited number will be available at the event, but sizes and quantities are not guaranteed. Secure your T-shirt by registering early!
FUNDRAISING INCENTIVES
PanCAN PurpleStride would not make the impact it does for those affected by pancreatic cancer without our top fundraisers and teams. To show our appreciation for your dedication, we recognize the Top 10 national and local fundraising teams, with the Top 3 local teams and Top 3 fundraisers receiving special recognition on event day!
In addition, the Champion Circle program recognizes PurpleStride teams that hit certain fundraising levels for their events ranging from customized signs to your own VIP tent on event day.
For more information, check out our Fundraising Deadlines and Incentives page.
SPECIAL GUEST
Julie Gargotta
Julie Gargotta has been telling impactful stories for more than 16 years. An award-winning anchor, she makes complex issues relatable for viewers.
Each morning, Julie anchors Spectrum News 13’s newscast as viewers wake up across Central Florida. She then divides the rest of her time between enterprising stories — crafting compelling pieces for the station’s “Florida Inspires” series— and emceeing a myriad of events and fundraisers in Orlando.
Julie takes pride in mentoring emerging journalists through Spectrum’s successful Fellowship program, and she recently joined the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s outreach team in Orlando, heightening awareness of pancreatic cancer. It’s personal for Julie, having lost her mother to the disease.
Since joining Spectrum News 13 in December 2014, Julie has covered topics like technology, politics, and community concerns, including East Orange County’s push for clean water. During the pandemic, she highlighted how Central Florida businesses adapted, and via the “Justice for All” series, she addressed topics of inequity. One of her proudest accomplishments was contributing to the award-winning "Street Level" series, writing three comprehensive mini documentaries on varied topics: the citrus industry, the space program and the notion of racial divide.
Julie holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Journalism and Spanish from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. As an undergrad, she led the university’s dance team, worked on a cable television show and was a sister of Delta Zeta Sorority.
She is also an alum of the Orlando Economic Partnership’s Leadership Orlando, and is working on a corporate communications certificate from Cornell University.
She speaks conversational Italian and Spanish and enjoys traveling. She lives in Central Florida with her husband, two children and two dogs.
Connect with her on Twitter Juliegargotta, Instagram JuliegargottaTV, or Facebook as Julie Gargotta. Email her at julie.gargotta@charter.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have questions? We have answers! Check our FAQ page.
CONTACT US
Need assistance? We’re here to help! Contact us.
STAY CONNECTED
From all of us in the Central Florida Affiliate and at PanCAN: we appreciate your support!
Join the Central Florida Affiliate Facebook Group to connect with your local community, share ideas and get the latest updates!
JOIN US AT PURPLESTRIDE!
Register
