I'm Kit Rudd and I am a two-year pancreatic cancer survivor!  In February 2022, I was in the best physical condition of my adult life.  Two days after crushing my first ever gravel cycling race at age 60, I had a CT scan to diagnose the cause of nagging abdominal discomfort.  The next morning my doctor called to inform me I had a 5cm mass on the body of my pancreas.  Nine days later the mass was confirmed as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common and aggressive form of pancreatic cancer.  Sadly, Sharon and I already knew far too much about about this disease as her mother Dorothy Peade passed away in December 2013 just 11 days after diagnosis.  

After dealing with the shock and awe of this devastating news, I resolved to make the most of my time by doing what I could to help others who are dealing with pancreatic cancer. Thanks to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's nationwide network of PurpleStride walks, Sharon and I participated in our local event for the past two years and raised almost $40,000 for PanCAN.  This year, we decided to maximize our impact on the lives of pancreatic cancer patients by joining our many friends, supporters and others in New York City for the 2024 PurpleStride on April 27, 2024.    

We need your support!  PurpleStride participants raise money to fund vital research that can bring new treatment options to patients; free, personalized, one-to-one support through PanCAN Patient Services; and more.

Sharon and I have set an ambitious fundraising goal and need your contribution and participation! A gift of any size will help patients and families facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

And if you'd like to help in a bigger way? Join us by registering for PurpleStride and becoming a member of our team Cookin' Up A Cure! Register for free, raise $50 and you’ll receive an official PanCAN PurpleStride 2024 T-shirt!

At last year's PurpleStride I was struck by the large number of friends, family, supporters and caregivers wearing purple surrounding a small handful of survivors in white.  Let's work together for a world in which that handful of white becomes an ocean of survivors.  Better yet, let's look forward to a day where PurpleStride and pancreatic cancer are a distant memory!   

Thank you for your support!