Welcome to the BXTI PurpleStride Team Fundraising Page! This is a cause (and event) that is near and dear to my heart, having experienced the loss of a loved one due to pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers, with a 5-year survival rate of only 12%. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer often shows little or no symptoms until it has advanced significantly - the 5-year survival rate for those diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer is just 1%.

My father, Matthew Bencke, was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in July of 2017, and he passed away a short three months later in October. Not a day passes by where I do not miss him, and I know this sentiment is shared by the many people whose lives he touched. If you'd like to read about his story, there's a few great articles that I linked below.

I'm sharing my story to hopefully encourage people to join me on Saturday, April 26, 2025 for the PanCAN PurpleStride, taking place at the Seaport District in NYC (Pier 17). This incredible event helps 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.

I've set a fundraising goal of $2,000, and I would be profoundly grateful for your donation. A gift of any size will help patients and families facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

If you are able and willing to help in a bigger way, I'd love for you to join our team! You can click on the Register button at the top of this page to get started. Registration is free, and if you raise $50, you’ll receive an official PanCAN PurpleStride 2025 T-shirt!

From the entire Bencke family - thank you for your support!

Matt Bencke PanCAN article: https://pancan.org/news/in-life-and-in-death-matt-bencke-raises-awareness/ 

Matt Bencke WIRED article: https://www.wired.com/story/the-day-i-found-out-my-life-was-hanging-by-a-thread/