On Saturday, Apr. 10, the UAB Department of Surgery and UAB Medicine will host the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s (PanCAN)PurpleStride Alabama, which participants can join from wherever they are.

PurpleStride is a year-round national movement that funds life-changing programs and services to accelerate progress for pancreatic cancer patients. At nearly 60 PurpleStride events in communities nationwide, pancreatic cancer survivors, families, caregivers, researchers and supporters passionate about changing the future of pancreatic cancer come together to celebrate and honor everyone affected by the disease.

Pancreatic cancer, the fourth-deadliest cancer in the US. The pancreas is a small organ behind the stomach that produces substances called enzymes and hormones, which help the body digest food and control the amount of sugar in the blood.

The Pancreatobiliary Disease Center at UAB has been hard at work fundraising for the event, with J. Bart Rose, MD, MAS, FACS and Devin Talley, RN leading the team’s effort. Dr. Rose will even be featured on PanCAN’s blog, and you can read his feature here, once it is posted.

This year, the event will be mostly virtual, besides the PurpleStride Selfie Station opportunity. This is a specially designed purple backdrop, the perfect place to pose for pictures (in a fun and socially distanced way) and then post to social media tagging @PanCAN and using the hashtag #JoinPanCAN and #PurpleStride. Find out where to go on the event day details page.

Register today for free, and build your team and start fundraising to support PanCAN’s life-changing programs and services for pancreatic cancer patients and their families– you will even get a free t-shirt for registering. Or, consider donating to Dr. Roses’ fundraising group here.

Plus, connect with other PurpleStriders in your area by joining the Birmingham Affiliate Facebook Group to share fundraising ideas, stories and more.