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All-Star Team K Crew at PanCAN PurpleStride Los Angeles.
A Day of Inspiration & Hope
Nearly 63,000 people took steps this past Saturday, April 26, to end pancreatic cancer at PanCAN PurpleStride 2025 – and in doing so, showed the country how strong this passionate community is about helping those affected.
At every event – rain or shine – you could find smiles, hugs, laughs, hope and poignant moments that make PurpleStride the amazing movement it is. And, of course, seeing all the Survivors in their special PanCAN PurpleStride Survivor T-shirts is a highlight every year.
So far, $16.5 million has been raised through PurpleStride events in nearly 60 communities across the nation to help patients and their families. The passion felt on event day is an important reminder to never stop fighting for more. And now, because of this strong community, PanCAN can demand more, do more, and deliver more for every individual touched by this disease today and those who will face it tomorrow.
“You are supporting PanCAN’s critical work – giving patients and caregivers the resources and knowledge they need to navigate this disease through PanCAN Patient Services; funding research to find a way to detect this disease earlier and find better treatments for patients; and advocating for more federal funding for this disease because we know science follows money,” said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, president and CEO, PanCAN at PurpleStride Los Angeles’ opening ceremony.
“Events like PurpleStride are more important than ever right now because of recent cuts to federal funding for pancreatic cancer research. We desperately need both public and private funding for this disease to ensure scientists have the resources they need to drive progress and improve patient outcomes, so thank you again for being here today and taking action,” she continued.
Using Their Star Power for Good
(L-R) Dr. Nicholas Nissen of Cedars-Sinai, “Star Trek’s” Kitty Swink and Lisa Niemi Swayze at PurpleStride Los Angeles.
PanCAN Founder Pamela Acosta Marquardt with “Golden Bachelorette” Joan Vassos at PurpleStride.
Notable figures joined PurpleStride events across the country.
- “Golden Bachelorette” Joan Vassos, who lost her husband, John, to pancreatic cancer, was a featured speaker at PurpleStride Washington D.C.
- Actors from “Star Trek,” including Kitty Swink, John Billingsley, and TV writer-producer Juan Carlos Coto, who lost his brother, “Star Trek Enterprise” Executive Producer Manny Coto to the disease, attended PurpleStride Los Angeles.
- Also at PurpleStride Los Angeles was Lisa Niemi Swayze, who lost her husband, actor Patrick Swayze, to pancreatic cancer.
- Martha Madison from Days of our Lives and many of the Days’ cast members including Brandon Beemer, Raven Bowens, Heather Boyd, Rachel Boyd, Bryan Datillo, Kennedy Garcia, Alice Halsey, Tina Huang, Cherie Jimenez, Abigail Klein, Victoria Konefal, Dan Feuerriegel, John Paul Lavoisier, Stephen Nichols, Shi Ne Nielson and Ashley Puzemis formed their own PurpleStride Los Angeles team, “Hogey’s Home Runners” in honor of their hero – and their on-screen dad – Drake Hogestyn, who portrayed John Black on the show.
- Actress Rosa Blasi of “The Thundermans” attended PurpleStride Los Angeles to honor a family member and survivors.
“PanCAN provides critical resources, research, and support – and in doing so, gives the one thing John clung to most: hope,” said Joan. “I walk in honor of John, alongside family and friends as Team ‘It’s Just a Sprain,’ and I advocate so that no other family has to go through this terrible journey alone.”
Share Your Pics from PanCAN PurpleStride 2025!
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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At PurpleStride Pittsburgh, Maya Yeomans (left stroller), with her parents, and Maggie Creighan (right stroller), with her parents, led team “Baba’s Bunch,” named for Maya’s late grandfather Sanjib’s love for bananas. They’re posing with mascots from the Pittsburgh Pirates – Pirate Parrot and Pirates Pierogies Potato Pete.
Oliver Myers (baby) attended PurpleStride Atlanta – his first! – in honor of his late grandpa.
Survivors take the stage at PanCAN PurpleStride Washington, D.C.
Fundraising for PanCAN PurpleStride 2025 Is Still Open!
Remember, you have until June 30 to continue fundraising for your PanCAN PurpleStride event. Raise $1,000+ and you’ll become a member of the PanCAN PurpleStride Grand Club and receive an official Grand Club 2025 pullover.
You have until June 30 to raise $1,000+ and earn your Grand Club membership and this great pullover!
We can’t wait to see you next year at PanCAN PurpleStride 2026!
Make a donation to the PanCAN PurpleStride 2025 team or event of your choice – you have until June 30, 2025.
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