First Pink, Now Purple: Local Activists Kick Off Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

How do you draw attention to an often overlooked but lethal illness? One Burnsville man and his compatriots came up with a eye-catching way of raising awareness. In late September, survivor Juan Falcon lit the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis with purple light to spread awareness for the the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. 

Spectacle aside, the real push starts this month, November, which has been officially dubbed National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month by Mayor Elizabeth Kautz. 

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Unlike many other forms of cancer, which have benefited from recent research, survivor rates remain low, in the single digits. According to PanCan rep Nancy Marian, the incidence and death rate for pancreatic cancer is in fact increasing. By 2020, pancreatic cancer is expected to become the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.

The Twin Cities affiliate has invited everyone to help create awareness on Friday, November 16th with  "Purple for a Purpose" Day. There will be a series of events for those who want to take part. Here is the group's official announcement: CITY OF BURNSVILLE RECOGNIZES NATIONAL PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

We've also covered this issue extensively in the past. Check out the following articles if you wish to know more:

• Burnsville Man Works to Transform I-35 Bridge into Tribute to Cancer Victims