Raising Pancreatic Cancer Awareness In Memory of Memere

More than 1,000 locals will join the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on Saturday, June 21 for PurpleStride Connecticut, the annual 5K walk and timed run to raise funds and awareness about pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. 

"My memere (grandmother in French), Elsie Anctil was an eight year pancreatic cancer survivor before her passing in July 2013 of an unrelated cancer," said Ashley Bernaiche, a volunteer from New Britain. She added “Because of her wonderful team of doctors, and her amazing strength, my memere was blessed with more years to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which meant everything to our family.”

There are no early diagnostic tools, few effective treatments and there is no cure, which could directly contribute to pancreatic cancer having the lowest five-year survival rate of all major cancers at just six percent.

Ashley and several family members will be volunteering their time at PurpleStride Connecticut in memory of Elsie and her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Bernaiche said, "We volunteer to help raise funds for research and also to increase awareness in our local community." Adding, "Unfortunately, not many families are as lucky as ours and more needs to be done to make fighting pancreatic cancer a priority! Hope is so important when dealing with the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States."

All those who would like to join the fight are invited to attend the event at Hubbard Park in Meriden.  The event will include music, refreshments and other family-friendly festivities. In 2013, over 1,100 people attended and over $120,000 was raised for research!

Registration begins at 8 a.m., Opening Ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. and the run/walk at 10:00 a.m. To register, visit: http://www.purplestride.org/connecticut.