DETROIT (WXYZ) — WXYZ’s Alicia Smith served as the official emcee and team captain for the Circle 7 PurpleStriders at Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's (PanCAN) fundraising event and walk at Milliken State Park Saturday to support pancreatic cancer research, advocacy, and more.
"My husband and I joined more than 1,400 walkers today in the PanCAN PurpleStride Michigan event — the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer," said 7 Action News Anchor Alicia Smith.
"This is a cause close to my heart because my father and my father-in-law. both passed away from pancreatic cancer three years apart," Smith explained.
PanCAN PurpleStride is the number one way PanCAN raises money to fund vital research that can bring new treatment options to patients, and gives them free, personalized one-to-one support through PanCAN Patient Services.
More than 60 PanCAN PurpleStride events were held on Saturday all over the U.S. with more than 65,000 walkers taking part.
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) helps fund research, obtain federal funds, build community and help patients and their families after a diagnosis.
“PurpleStride is the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer. Wherever you are, you can help create that sea of purple to honor those we lost, celebrate survivors and raise funds for essential research like the PanCAN Early Detection Initiative and free resources and support from PanCAN Patient Services,” PanCAN PurpleStride Michigan said.
Alicia's father, Dave Smith, died from pancreatic cancer in May of 2017. Alicia's father-in-law, Mark Karell, died of the disease in July of 2020.
Both of them were diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer. There is no early detection method, and symptoms are often very subtle.
Through fundraising and awareness efforts, pancreatic cancers’ survival rate has increased from 5% to 12%. PanCAN’s goal is to increase the survival rate for pancreatic cancer to 20% by 2030.
PanCan’s PurpleStrides Michigan's fundraising goal is $381,000. At the time of the event, walkers and donors had raised more than $272,000.
"People can continue to donate for the next 60 days," said PurpleStride Chair Renee Clearman.
You can donate at pancan.org or on the Circle 7 PurpleStriders' page here: Circle 7 PurpleStriders.
