Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United State, according to the American Cancer Society. With a five-year survival rate of six percent, it's also one of the deadliest. One of the primary reasons for this is that there is currently no early detection method or screening available, and the cancer is typically diagnosed after spreading to other organs.
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is determined to double the survivor rate by 2020 through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy. On the local level, West Kentucky's volunteer team led by Carol Foreman hosts a Purple Light event this Sunday in Noble Park, celebrating survivors, remembering loved ones lost and inspiring the community. She speaks with Kate Lochte on Sounds Good.
West Kentucky Pancreatic Cancer Action Network community representative Carol Foreman says October is breast cancer awareness month and because there are so many survivors, one sees a lot of support, but because there aren't as many survivors of pancreatic cancer, there is sadly not as much support or as much funding towards researching early detection and prevention methods.
After her father's death from pancreatic cancer four years ago (eight weeks after being diagnosed), Foreman sought information about the disease, but found little available. She says the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network kept appearing in her search, and clicked on the map to get involved, but nothing came up for Kentucky. She learned that the organization was volunteer driven and that no one in Kentucky had volunteered, so she decided to step in and help.
Now, with a small group of volunteers meeting once a month at Lourdes Hospital, her Paducah-based group is working towards an official affiliation status within the network. In order to do so, they need to increase their volunteer base. "Kentucky definitely needs more awareness for this disease because this disease is on the rise," she says. To get involved, email Carol Foreman at Cforeman@pancanvolunteer.org.
This Sunday's Purple Light National Vigil of Hope Event is at Noble Park in Paducah, shelter number 16. Check-in at 6 p.m., event starts at 7 p.m. Texas Roadhouse provides refreshments. Names of survivors will be read and names of loved ones lost will be read as well, along with luminaries available and a memory banner to be signed. The event is free, but donations are appreciated.
