Assembly Members Houghtaling and Downey Announce 5K Team, Effort to Raise $25,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Research

As part of their initiative to bring more attention and awareness to pancreatic cancer, Assembly Members Houghtaling and Downey have launched a team for the upcoming “Pound the Pavement for Purple” 5K run/walk to be held in Neptune Township in October. The members have begun recruiting team members and donors, aiming to raise $25,000 through their team for the Lustgarten Foundation and pancreatic cancer research.

“Pound the Pavement for Purple was an event we planned during my time as Mayor of Neptune Township, and something we worked closely with Monmouth County officials on,” said Houghtaling (D-Monmouth), “It’s something I’m very proud of, and as an Assemblyman I want to do all I can to bring more attention and donations to this cause, because pancreatic cancer affects so many people right here in our community.”

Houghtaling and Downey have launched “Team Eric & Joann,” which will bring together members of the Monmouth County community to run and walk in the Pound the Pavement for Purple event. The team’s goal is to raise $25,000 for the event, which will benefit the Lustgarten Foundation, and go towards innovative pancreatic cancer research.

This comes after Houghtaling and Downey introduced a Joint Resolution that would designate November of each year as “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month” in New Jersey. Because pancreatic cancer is so difficult to detect early, most prognoses are deadly. Increased awareness of detection and treatment methods can help save lives.

Pound the Pavement for Purple will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016. Registration begins at 8:30AM, and the 5K begins at 10:00AM. Those wishing to join Team Eric & Joann or donate to the cause can visitwww.runsignup.com/TeamEricAndJoann.