This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

PurpleStriders Walk to Find a Cure for Pancreatic Cancer

Volunteer and Manhattan Beach resident Kate Dunitz talks about why she devotes so much time to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will hold a walk and silent auction event on Saturday, May 14, in nearby Plaza El Segundo, to help raise money and awareness to fight pancreatic cancer, the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the country.

Billed as “PurpleStride Los Angeles 2011,” the all-volunteer organizers hope the second year of this race will raise $138,000 for a cure. So far the organization has been able to raise more than $77,000. Last year's inaugural walk drew more than 800 people on a cold February day, according to volunteer Michael Timmerman.

Manhattan Beach resident Kate Dunitz, the volunteer sponsorship chair for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, has been working hard to gather donations from local businesses, from cash sponsorships to items for the silent auction and raffle. Best Buy has donated a 46-inch TV for a raffle. 

Find out what's happening in Manhattan Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dunitz, who is participating in the walk, lost a loved one, her godfather, to pancreatic cancer and has used his courageous fight as inspiration for her involvement with the organization that works to find a cure.

“I heard about the walk last year and wanted to be more involved," said Dunitz. "It's an amazing group of people who want to fight and help find a cure."

Find out what's happening in Manhattan Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only national organization creating hope through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure.  

“Pancreatic cancer isn't as well known, so there's not as much support or walks. This is something close to my heart that I will always be involved in and raise money for,” Dunitz said.

PurpleStride will include a two-mile or one-mile walk, a silent auction, live entertainment with Mira Costa alumni The Zoggs playing, kids' activities and complimentary refreshments and snacks. All registration and auction proceeds go to pancreatic cancer research.

Preregistration is closed but registration the morning of the event begins at 7:30for $35 per person. The walk begins at 8:30 a.m. Families, individuals and businesses are encouraged to sign up to take part and help in the fight. 

Plaza El Segundo is located on Sepulveda Boulevard, just north of Rosecrans Avenue, in El Segundo.

Pancreatic cancer, to which actor Patrick Swayze succumbed, has just a six percent five-year survival rate, which has largely remained unchanged in 40 years because early detection tools and effective treatments have yet to be developed. In 2010, more than 43,000 Americans were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and more than 36,000 died. Despite these sobering statistics, just two percent of the National Cancer Institute’s federal research funding is allocated to pancreatic cancer, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?