Supporting Project Purple
Proceeds from the Mill Town races will be donated to Project Purple, a nonprofit organization that funds critical research to develop a means for early detection of pancreatic cancer and patient aid. Project Purple's primary fundraising means is as a charity partner to endurance events, including 5 of the 6 world major marathons. Project Purple teams run marathons and half marathons in some of the country's most prestigious races (New York, Chicago, Boston, Twin Cities) as well as the Berlin and London marathons. In 2022, more 15,000 individuals competed in about 25 events to support Project Purple’s mission of a world without pancreatic cancer.
Since its founding in 2010, Project Purple had funded more than $3 million in research and provided more than $510,000 in aid to help patients cover medical bills, utilities, housing and food costs while undergoing treatment.
Pancreatic cancer has a 5-year survival rate of just 12 percent. It is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in Minnesota, primarily because most people are diagnosed at stage 4, after the disease has spread beyond the pancreas.
Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors
- Obesity: Obese people (body mass index of 30 or more) are about 20 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. Gaining weight as an adult can also increase risk.
- Age: Patients tend to be older than 45 and the risk increases as people age.
- History of pancreatitis: Pancreatitis, long-term inflammation of the pancreas, is often seen with heavy alcohol use and smoking.
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Smoking: People who smoke have about twice the risk of getting pancreatic cancer than those who have never smoked.
- Race: African Americans are slightly more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than whites.
- Family history: about 10 percent of cases are familial.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
- Sudden weight loss
- Recent onset of diabetes
- Indigestion
- Changes in stool
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Jaundice
