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Dean Butler, Leslie Landon Matthews and Michael Landon Jr. Are Calling on Fans Across the Country to Support “Team Little House” and Make a Donation Today
PanCAN PurpleStride Takes Place in Nearly 60 Communities Nationwide on April 27, 2024 – Learn More and Register HERE
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (March 13, 2023) -- Today, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) announced “Team Little House,” created by the late Michael Landon’s family, friends and castmates in honor of Michael for PanCAN PurpleStride, the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer. The event takes place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Los Angeles and in nearly 60 other cities nationwide. The goal of “Team Little House” is to raise at least $50,000 in Michael’s memory for PanCAN to advance progress against the disease. Team members include two of Michael’s children, Leslie Landon Matthews and Michael Landon Jr., and Dean Butler who played Almanzo Wilder.
Michael Landon passed away of pancreatic cancer in 1991 and this summer will mark the 33rd anniversary of his passing. As one of the first public figures to announce his diagnosis, he created a tremendous amount of public awareness about the disease. The launch of “Team Little House” also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Little House on the Prairie this year.
“Even after all these years, Michael Landon will always be an inspiration to me,” says Dean Butler, who starred alongside the iconic actor on ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ “As we mark the show’s 50th anniversary, Michael’s presence is deeply missed, but his legacy lives on. I hope fans who cherish the show and admire Michael will join me in supporting the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) by registering or donating to Team Little House.”
“My father is always in my daily thoughts,” said Leslie Landon Matthews, daughter of Michael Landon and Little House on the Prairie castmate. “Celebrating the series’ 50th anniversary warms my heart and takes me back to those glorious years we spent so much time together both on and off screen. I hope our team can help bring awareness to this disease and encourage people to donate in my father’s honor to PanCAN.”
When Michael was diagnosed, research on the disease was scarce. There were only a handful of researchers in the field; the survival rate was less than 4%; resources for patients were nonexistent; the public knew next to nothing about the disease and there was little hope. Michael brought pancreatic cancer to the forefront. And since his passing, progress against the disease has been made. The five-year survival rate has more than tripled to 13%, the research landscape is stronger, and patients have places like PanCAN to turn to for resources and support. However, pancreatic cancer is currently the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. and is on track to become the second leading cause.
“We are so grateful to Leslie, Michael Jr., Dean and everyone who is participating in PanCAN PurpleStride. Their efforts are making a difference,” said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, president and CEO of PanCAN. “Their participation in PanCAN PurpleStride not only honors the life and legacy of Michael but gives everyone affected by this disease the opportunity to make an impact through greater awareness and fundraising.”
To support “Team Little House,” go to purplestride.org/TeamLittleHouse. To find and register for a PanCAN PurpleStride event in your community, visit www.purplestride.org.
For more information on the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and its urgent mission to save lives, visit pancan.org or follow PanCAN on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
