Pancreatic Cancer National Vigil for Hope

CLEVELAND
RESIDENTS WILL BE A PART OF A NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO TURN OUR COUNTRY PURPLE ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER
30 IN HONOR OF PANCREATIC CANCER VICTIMS

CLEVELAND, OH (September 11, 2012) –
Local residents are turning the city purple on Sunday, September 30, 2012 to call attention to one of our nation’s deadliest cancers – pancreatic cancer.  PurpleLight National Vigil for Hope (www.purplelight.org) is an effort by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to honor those who have fought pancreatic cancer and celebrate survivors, while raising community awareness about the devastating disease.  The event is among 60 PurpleLight vigils taking place across the country with thousands expected to turn out in honor of a loved one or friend.

“We are proud to once again join communities across the country for the Second Annual PurpleLight National Vigil of Hope to turn the country purple,” stated Erin Corwin, Affiliate Coordinator. “Many of us in the community have been touched by this insidious disease. The vigil
gives us the opportunity to come together to gain both comfort and encouragement from one another while drawing attention to pancreatic cancer.”

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is the only major cancer with a five-year survival rate in the single digits at
just six percent.  This year, nearly 44,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and more than 37,000
will die from the disease. In fact, 74 percent of patients die within the first year of diagnosis. There are no early detection methods and few effective treatment options exist.

This community event, planned entirely by local volunteers, will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will take place in Lincoln Park, in the Tremont Area of Cleveland with free
parking at The Grace Center (2307 W. 14^th Street). To register please visit www.purplelight.org.

“Pancreatic cancer has touched my life and forever changed it.  My fiancé lost his battle with the disease in
2011 after a very courageous battle that lasted 14 months.  He was considered one of the lucky ones.  Most people who are diagnosed lose their battle within 5-7 months of diagnosis.  We had the opportunity to travel and do some things he really wanted before he passed
away.  I cherish those memories and carry them with me every day.” Said  MaryKaye Mackulin, the local Media Representative for the Cleveland Affiliate of the
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Cleveland Affiliate, visit www.pancan.org.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase the survival rate for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative—The Vision of Progress: Double the Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate by 2020. Together, we can know, fight and end pancreatic cancer by intensifying our efforts to heighten awareness, raise funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for dedicated federal research to advance early diagnostics, better treatments and increase chances of survival.

Contact the following for additional information:

Megan Graham, Event Coordinator

Cleveland Affiliate, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

mgraham@pancanvolunteer.org