TV Stars Walk the Walk from Coast to Coast at PanCAN PurpleStride, The Ultimate Walk to End Pancreatic Cancer

Nicholas Nissen, MD, Group Captain of The Cedars-Sinai Whipplers, joined Star Trek actor and 21-year pancreatic most cancers survivor, Kitty Swink, to chop the purple ribbon at PanCAN PurpleStride Los Angeles with Lisa Niemi Swayze, author, director, actress, dancer and spouse of the late actor, Patrick Swayze.

Actuality Star Joan Vassos, “Star Trek” Group, Days of our Lives’ Martha Madison & Forged Members and Lisa Niemi Swayze Take Steps to Elevate Funds and Consciousness for Pancreatic Most cancers

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (APRIL 28, 2025) – This previous Saturday, April 26, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) held its largest fundraising occasion of the yr, PanCAN PurpleStride, the last word stroll to finish pancreatic most cancers. PanCAN PurpleStride passed off nationwide in almost 60 cities as survivors, supporters, celebrities and particular visitors walked in solidarity to lift consciousness and much-needed funds for pancreatic most cancers, one of many world’s deadliest types of most cancers. It’s the primary approach PanCAN raises funds to gasoline its mission and the {dollars} raised change the lives of individuals dealing with pancreatic most cancers and advance progress in opposition to the illness. Practically 63,000 individuals throughout the nation attended, elevating almost $16.5 million in the direction of combating the illness.

Pancreatic most cancers stays the third main reason for cancer-related deaths in america and is on monitor to develop into the second main trigger. It’s the solely main most cancers with a five-year survival fee under 20%. As a result of signs are sometimes imprecise and mimic different sicknesses or circumstances, most sufferers are recognized within the late phases of the illness. There isn’t any commonplace screening technique for pancreatic most cancers and few therapy choices, highlighting the pressing want for elevated analysis, funding and consciousness to enhance affected person outcomes.

“You might be supporting PanCAN’s important work – giving sufferers and caregivers the assets and information they should navigate this illness by PanCAN Affected person Providers; funding analysis to discover a option to detect this illness earlier and discover higher remedies for sufferers; and advocating for extra federal funding for this illness as a result of we all know science follows cash,” stated Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, president and CEO, PanCAN at PurpleStride Los Angeles’ opening ceremony. “Occasions like PurpleStride are extra essential than ever proper now due to current cuts to federal funding for pancreatic most cancers analysis. We desperately want each private and non-private funding for this illness to make sure scientists have the assets they should drive progress and enhance affected person outcomes, so thanks once more for being right here as we speak and taking motion.”

From coast to coast and throughout the tv spectrum, notable figures joined the battle. Joan Vassos was a featured speaker at PurpleStride Washington D.C., whereas actors from Star Trek, together with Kitty Swink, John Billingsley, and TV writer-producer Juan Carlos Coto, who misplaced his brother, “Star Trek Enterprise” Govt Producer Manny Coto, to the illness, together with Lisa Niemi Swayze and Days of our Lives’ Martha Madison and most of the solid of the present participated in PurpleStride Los Angeles.

“PanCAN supplies important assets, analysis, and assist—and in doing so, provides the one factor John clung to most: hope,” stated Joan Vassos. “I stroll in honor of John, alongside household and pals as Group ‘It’s Only a Sprain,’ and I advocate in order that no different household has to undergo this horrible journey alone.”

Notable celebrities confirmed as much as stroll and assist PanCAN’s mission in a number of cities throughout the nation:

At PurpleStride Washington D.C, Actuality star and advocate, Joan Vassos led her staff “It’s Just A Sprain” in honor of her late husband, John, who handed away from the illness in 2021.

At PurpleStride Los Angeles, Daytime TV stars Martha Madison from Days of our Lives and most of the Days’ solid members shaped their very own PurpleStride staff, “Hogey’s Home Runners” in honor of TV’s biggest hero—and their on-screen dad—Drake Hogestyn, who portrayed John Black. After shedding Drake to pancreatic most cancers, they got here collectively at PurpleStride Los Angeles to lift funds and consciousness in his reminiscence. 

Different notable celebrities at PurpleStride Los Angeles included:

• Lisa Niemi Swayze: Author, director, actress, dancer and spouse of the late actor, Patrick Swayze, who handed from pancreatic most cancers. Lisa minimize the purple ribbon at PurpleStride Los Angeles.
• Star Trek Group: As soon as once more main the cost for staff “Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer” are the inspiring Kitty Swink, a 21-year pancreatic most cancers survivor from “Deep House 9”, John Billingsley (“Star Trek: Enterprise”) and TV writer-producer Juan Carlos Coto, who misplaced his brother, “Star Trek Enterprise” Govt Producer Manny Coto, to the illness. This devoted staff boldly went the place they’ve gone earlier than and took part of their fifth PanCAN PurpleStride!
• Rosa Blasi, Actress (“The Thundermans”)
• “Days of Our Lives” solid members together with: Brandon Beemer, Raven Bowens, Heather Boyd, Rachel Boyd, Bryan Datillo, Kennedy Garcia, Alice Halsey, Tina Huang, Cherie Jimenez, Abigail Klein, Victoria Konefal, Dan Feuerriegel, John Paul Lavoisier, Stephen Nichols, Shi Ne Nielson, Ashley Puzemis