HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Central Virginians took part in the fifth annual PurpleStride walk at Dorey Park in Henrico County on Saturday to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer.
Hosted by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), the event raised more than $110,100, surpassing its $110,000 goal. Organizers said the money will fund cancer research and resources for those battling the disease, which has a five-year survival rate of 13%.
Dani Gill attended the walk to honor her mother, a 12-year pancreatic cancer survivor who was unable to attend this year due to pain. Gill said when her mother was diagnosed, the survival rate was just 4%.
"It's still so important to support what's going on here," Gill said.
Gill credited the funds raised at events like PurpleStride for the research that has helped her mother survive for 12 years.
"It's overwhelming, especially the first time we did a walk. We didn't know you feel very isolated, very alone," Gill said. "But when you see so many other people that are going through it, caregivers that you can talk to, we've met doctors, surgeons, wonderful people, wonderful survivors. So I think it's just like camaraderie more than anything," Gill said.
Kim Moore, the PurpleStride chair for the past three years, became involved after losing his brother to the disease. Moore and his sister served as caregivers during his brother's two-year battle with cancer.
"It's inspiring to me to see this many people together to come together, but it's also sad because we've lost so many people to pancreatic cancer, including members of my own family," Moore said.
Moore noted that the Richmond event has grown over its five years, and this year featured more survivors than the previous year.
"It warms my heart to be able to continue my brother's story," Moore said.
More than 67,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, making it the 11th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S., according to PanCAN.
The Henrico event was one of more than 50 PanCAN walks held nationwide on Saturday, drawing an estimated 60,000 survivors, families, caregivers, and supporters.
CBS 6 This Morning anchor Reba Hollingsworth once again served as the event's emcee.
"My first picture is with the SURVIVORS. They are literally beating the odds. GOD bless them," Hollingsworth wrote on social media.
Click here to learn more or to make a donation.
CBS 6 is committed to sharing community voices on this important topic. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom.
📲: CONNECT WITH US
Blue Sky | Facebook | Instagram | X | Threads | TikTok | YouTube
Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for more complete coverage of news in your neighborhood and community. Have a story idea, email our team at newstips@wtvr.com. Or click here if you are interested in having a CBS 6 anchor, reporter or meteorologist attend or MC an event.
Find unique, award-winning stories every day on CBS 6 News
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom, click here.
