Dear Friends,

I am asking for your support again this year for PurpleStride, April 27, 2024 at De Anza Cove at Mission Bay Park.  This is the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer.  As a pancreatic cancer survivor, I will be walking to raise critical funding to support research for early detection methods and better treatment options, clinical trials, education, and advocacy to improve the survival rate for pancreatic cancer. 

As many of you know, I am a rare pancreas cancer survivor.  This past December 2023 marked ten-years of survival.  I remain under surveillance, but recent evaluations continue to show no evidence of disease.  I continue to work advocating for those who cannot do so for themselves, and I value your support.  But we still need your help.

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, after lung and colon cancer.  An estimated 66,400 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024.  Approximately 51,750 Americans are expected to die from the disease this year.  Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all the major cancers. 

But there is hope.  My survival proves this.  When I was diagnosed December 2013, the five-year survival rate was a dismal 6%.  The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is now 13% -- the third year in a row the five-year survival rate has increased by one percent.  This means more hope for people diagnosed with this tough disease.  We are on a promising path, but there is much more to do.  You can help by supporting me in PurpleStride.   

Thank you!

Russ