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PurpleStride Sacramento returns, in-person, on April 30

Donate or join the team as UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center enters friendly rivalry with other UCs

(SACRAMENTO)

Take steps to help find a cure for the third most deadly cancer in the U.S. by participating in PurpleStride Sacramento. The event is set for Saturday, April 30, at William Land Park.

Hosted by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), PurpleStride USA raises money to advocate for pancreatic cancer research, conduct community outreach and provide patient and caregiver support.

Richard Bold
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center physician-in-chief is captain of the cancer center’s PurpleStride team.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is participating, with a team goal of raising $2,000. Team captain Richard Bold, physician-in-chief of the cancer center, encourages anyone touched by pancreatic cancer or interested in helping fight the devastating disease to visit the cancer center’s PurpleStride team site to contribute or join the team for the in-person event.

“It is disappointing that advancements in cancer research have been unable to rein in pancreatic cancer,” Bold said. “In fact, it’s one of the few cancers for which survival has not improved substantially in nearly 40 years.”

Bold said UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is determined to double down on pancreatic cancer, with research underway to uncover risk factors and treat patients through early-stage clinical trials.

“We want to dramatically change the outcomes of pancreatic cancer, but we can’t do it alone,” Bold said. “PurpleStride is the largest pancreatic cancer fundraiser of its kind. This is a great opportunity to join our local community to fight this rare, but deadly cancer.”

And, it is also a chance for a little friendly competition with the other four UC comprehensive cancer centers. In addition to collaborating on pancreatic cancer research through the UC Pancreatic Cancer Consortium, all five UC cancer centers have entered teams in PurpleStride this year, as they challenge each other to raise the most money. 

“More than just an opportunity to fundraise, I see this as a great example of multiple UC campuses working together for a common cause,” said Kurt Giles, associate director, UCSF Pancreas Center and director of scientific affairs for the UC Pancreatic Cancer Consortium.

There’s also a deep connection between PanCAN’s work and the strides taking place at UC. “PanCAN provides a range of services for patients and also support grants which have helped a number of UC faculty,” Giles said. “‘Giving back’ to help them raise awareness and funds is a virtuous cycle that advances research and improves patient care.” 

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated center serving the Central Valley and inland Northern California, a region of more than 6 million people. Its specialists provide compassionate, comprehensive care for more than 100,000 adults and children every year and access to more than 200 active clinical trials at any given time. Its innovative research program engages more than 240 scientists at UC Davis who work collaboratively to advance discovery of new tools to diagnose and treat cancer. Patients have access to leading-edge care, including immunotherapy and other targeted treatments. Its Office of Community Outreach and Engagement addresses disparities in cancer outcomes across diverse populations, and the cancer center provides comprehensive education and workforce development programs for the next generation of clinicians and scientists. For more information, visit cancer.ucdavis.edu.

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