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Sending love to everyone affected from PanCAN PurpleStride Los Angeles.
This past weekend, the pancreatic cancer community came together for PanCAN PurpleStride 2026 – and what a powerful day it was!
Tens of thousands of Striders at events nationwide took steps to end pancreatic cancer, showing what’s possible when we unite with a shared purpose. From coast to coast, Striders filled walk routes with purple, creating a visible and moving reminder that no one faces this disease alone.
So far, PurpleStride 2026 has raised nearly $15 million, supporting critical programs that help patients and families today while driving research for better treatments and earlier detection tomorrow. Like in previous years, this incredible momentum reflects a growing, determined community committed to changing the story of pancreatic cancer.
PanCAN President & CEO Julie Fleshman spoke at PurpleStride Los Angeles.
At every event, there were moments that define PurpleStride – survivors taking the stage to cheers, families honoring loved ones and new connections forming among those who instantly understand one another.
“Like so many of you, today is very personal to me – it’s a day that I walk in memory of my own father who passed away in 1999, just four months after he was diagnosed,” said PanCAN President and CEO Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, at PurpleStride Los Angeles.
“So, thank you for sharing this day with me. This movement is powered by leaders like you – people who believe that bold action today can rewrite the future for patients and families. And it is amazing to see all the survivors who are here with us today.”
Stronger Together in Every Step
Notable figures who have been affected by pancreatic cancer attended PurpleStride events across the nation, including:
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Jean Trebek
Shortly after her husband, “Jeopardy’s” Alex Trebek, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she stood by his side when he bravely took the stage at PanCAN PurpleStride Los Angeles 2019. Jean has supported PanCAN ever since.
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Star Trek Team
For the sixth year in a row, Team “Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer” participated in PurpleStride Los Angeles and was a Top 10 Team. Jonathan Frakes (“Picard,” “Star Trek: Strange New World,” “Star Trek: Fleet Academy”), Armin Shimerman (“Deep Space Nine”), the inspiring Kitty Swink, a 22-year pancreatic cancer survivor (“Deep Space Nine”), John Billingsley (“Star Trek: Enterprise”) and TV writer-producer Juan Carlos Coto, who lost his brother to the disease, “Star Trek Enterprise” Executive Producer Manny Coto, boldly went where they’ve gone before: PanCAN PurpleStride!
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Joan Vassos
Known as the reality star of “The Golden Bachelorette,” Joan lost her husband John Vassos to pancreatic cancer in 2021. She led team “It’s Just A Sprain.”
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Bailey Taylor Brown
A Bachelor Nation favorite from The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise, Bailey honored her father, NBA referee Tony Brown, who passed away from pancreatic cancer, by fundraising as Team Captain for “Team Tony Brown #6Strong.” “Team Tony Brown #6Strong.”
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Stephen Nichols
The “Days of our Lives’” actor, who lost his co-star Drake Hogestyn and his father-in-law to pancreatic cancer, led team “Hogey’s Home Runners.”
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Jeff Mauro
The Food Network star, whose father passed away from pancreatic cancer in February 2025, was Team Captain of “In Gus We Trust” in honor of his father, Gus.
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Rosa Blasi
The actress and author, who has a family member and friend impacted by pancreatic cancer, attended PurpleStride Los Angeles.
Show Us Your Pics from PanCAN PurpleStride 2026!
Show us how you turned the country purple at PurpleStride. Post your photos on your social media and make sure to tag us @pancan and use #PanCANPurpleStride.
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All Together We Can
During her welcome speech at PurpleStride Los Angeles, Julie Fleshman introduced All Together We Can, PanCAN’s five-year campaign designed to turn science into survival and grow free services for patients and families affected by pancreatic cancer.
“We are entering a new era of treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients. We need to keep this momentum up. This is just the beginning!
“That’s why I am thrilled to announce today PanCAN’s boldest fundraising initiative yet. PanCAN must meet this exciting moment in history and so we are launching a $250 million campaign called All Together We Can. Our goal with this campaign is to accelerate breakthrough research, expand our Patient Services program and further strengthen this remarkable pancreatic cancer field that will bring us closer to the survival rates patients deserve.”
Read more about All Together We Can.
Fundraising for PanCAN PurpleStride 2026 is open through June 30! Donate to a Strider, team or event to help patients and families. DONATE TODAY!
Keep the Momentum Going – You Can Still Earn a T-Shirt or Become a Grand Club Member!
While event day may be over, the impact of PurpleStride continues – and if you haven’t earned your official PanCAN PurpleStride 2026 T-shirt yet or are still working toward becoming a Grand Club member and earning an exclusive lightweight hoodie, there’s still time!
Registered Striders who raise or self-donate $100+ by Sunday, May 31, will have their T-shirt mailed in May or June. Missed registering for PurpleStride? No worries. Registration is still open for those who want to earn a T-shirt! For more information, visit our FAQs.
Registered Striders who raise $1,000+ by Tuesday, June 30, will become a PanCAN PurpleStride 2026 Grand Club member and earn an exclusive Grand Club lightweight hoodie (or youth hoodie for our younger Grand Club members)! Learn more.
All fundraising remains open through June 30, giving anyone the opportunity to keep making a difference. Every additional dollar raised helps PanCAN provide free, personalized support for patients and caregivers, fund groundbreaking research and drive advocacy efforts that lead to increased federal funding.
Thank You! We’ll See You at PanCAN PurpleStride 2027!
Thank you for giving hope to so many.
If PurpleStride showed us anything this year, it’s that progress happens when people come together with purpose and determination.
Because all together we can – and will – create a future where survival is the expectation, not the exception.
