Cancer CareApril 12, 2023

Cancer center’s physician-in-chief leads PurpleStride

By Stephanie Winn

Donate or join UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center team efforts to fight deadly pancreatic cancer

(SACRAMENTO)

Take steps to help find a cure for the third most deadly cancer in the U.S. by participating in PurpleStride Sacramento. The fundraiser to fight pancreatic cancer is set for Saturday, April 29, 9:00 a.m., at William Land Park.

Dark haired man in doctor scrubs smiling — UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center physician-in-chief is captain of the cancer center’s PurpleStride team.

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.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is participating, with a team goal of raising $2,000. The team captain is Richard Bold, physician-in-chief of the cancer center. He 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.

American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures 2023 reports that the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is now 12%, an increase of one percentage point from last year. This is the first time since 2017 that the survival rate has gone up two years in a row.

“This is a promising upward trend that points to continued progress in the fight against this tough disease, but there is much more work to be done to fight this cancer that’s so difficult to treat,” Bold said.

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.”

PanCAN provides a range of services for patients with dedicated volunteers and a Patient Services team. The nonprofit also supports research and advocacy work with a bold goal of driving the five-year survival rate to 20% by 2030.

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.