Atlanta Dream forward Tamera Young (second-left) and partner Mimi Faust (center) with friends and family at PurpleStride Atlanta

Atlanta Dream forward Tamera Young (second-right) and partner Mimi Faust (center) with friends and family at PurpleStride Atlanta

A sea of purple blanketed the country once again as thousands gathered for PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer, over the weekend of Nov. 11 – 12. Nearly 8,000 took part in Dallas-Fort Worth, Sacramento, New Jersey and Atlanta to Demand Better for the pancreatic cancer community. These events are estimated to raise over $1 million combined for patient resources, support and research to fight the world’s toughest cancer.

It was a beautiful day in Dallas as approximately 2,500 people congregated at Klyde Warren Park for the event. Thirty-six survivors attended PurpleStride DFW 2017, presented by Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP, with funds estimated to reach over $400,000. The event also made sure to recognize those participants who served in the military in honor of Veterans Day.

PurpleStride Sacramento saw around 850 people at William Land Park who raised nearly $84,000 to end the disease. Nikki Laurenzo, part of FOX40 News’ evening team, emceed the event.

Pancreatic cancer survivor Dr. Arica Johnson and her son Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, Jr. at PurpleStride Atlanta

On the east coast, cold temperatures couldn’t keep participants away as over 2,600 gathered at Mack Cali Business Campus, Parsippany, for PurpleStride New Jersey. The event exceeded their fundraising goal by raising more than $451,000 to support the pancreatic cancer community.

PurpleStride Atlanta, hosted by WSB-TV’s Carol Sbarge, experienced a chilly yet inspiring morning as more than 1,700 attended the event at Georgia World Congress Center. Funds raised from PurpleStride Atlanta generated more than $351,000 to fight the disease.

Influencers and celebrities also laced up their shoes in Atlanta to show their support too!

Atlanta Dream forward Tamera Young, who lost her father to the disease, attended PurpleStride Atlanta alongside her partner and star of the reality TV show “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta,” Mimi Faust, who lost her mother to the disease. Young also spoke about her father during an interview on CBS 46’s “Atlanta Plugged In” last week.

Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, Jr. spoke during opening ceremonies to show support for his mother and survivor Dr. Arica Johnson.

PurpleStride brings the pancreatic cancer community together to Demand Better. For Patients. For Survival. Funds raised allow the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to provide vital patient services and support such as our Patient and Caregiver Services, Know Your Tumor® and our Clinical Trial Finder.

Register or donate to your local PurpleStride by visiting purplestride.org.