Cleveland's PurpleStride event raised $173,000 for Panceratic Cancer research

CLEVELAND - PurpleStride Cleveland 2012 was a complete success, attracting hundreds of runners and walkers who helped raise $173,000 dollars for pancreatic cancer research.

The event took place at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and was hosted by NewsChannel5 Troubleshooter Joe Pagonakis. Joe lost his father to pancreatic cancer in Jan. 1999.

"My father told me to keep smiling, and help in trying to find a cure," said Pagonakis. "One of the ways I try to make good on his advice, is to take part in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's PurpleStride Cleveland fundraising event."

The event is always a day of inspiration and hope -- it included a 5K run and 1-mile walk to raise research dollars in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

The reason it's so critical more research dollars are raised is because pancreatic cancer's five-year survival rate is still in the single digits, at just 6 percent -- this compared to a 67 percent overall five-year survival rate for all other cancers.

It's a cancer that has few early symptoms, and is still difficult to detect in its early stages.

"Pancreatic cancer is the nation’s fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and that number is increasing," said Cleveland PurpleStride Event Coordinator MaryKaye Mackulin. "This situation cannot be allowed to continue."

"Congress has the power to change these statistics by passing the Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act (S.B. 362/H.R. 733), which will ensure that the National Cancer Institute develops a long-term comprehensive strategic research plan."

"The bill has overwhelming bipartisan support, including nearly half of the Senate and over half of the House. On June 26, advocates from Ohio will join more than 550 individuals from across the country in Washington, D.C. for the sixth annual Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day to thank Sen. Sherrod Brown for his support of the Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act and to urge him to work for its passage before the end of the year."

Go to  knowitfightitendit.org  to learn more.

To make a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or to get more information on PurpleStride Cleveland 2012 click on this website.