Michael wais the Honorary Chairperson and Host for The 12th Annual L.A. Cancer Challenge 5K/10K Run, even though a broken collarbone prevented him from running this year.. You can still donate.

Every Halloween weekend, people of all ages come together to do something amazing. They care. They change lives. And they give a face to hope. More than 5,000 men, women and children of all ages are expected to participate in the 12th Annual L.A. Cancer Challenge; many will be dressed in festive Halloween costumes.  In 2008, more than $540,000 was raised, bringing the total dollars raised by the event to over 2 million. 

The mission of the Hirshberg Foundation is to improve early detection and find a cure for Pancreatic Cancer. Our research at the UCLA Medical Center and our partnerships with research centers around the world are helping speed up the process of finding a cure for all forms of cancer. It’s not impossible.

Sadly, Pancreatic Cancer is one of the deadliest cancers. Vastly improved treatments and an eventual cure can only be achieved through intense research. Yet Pancreatic Cancer is one of the most under-funded cancers. Treatments, earlier detection and a cure can only be achieved with more funding. Yes, you can make a difference in fighting this disease.

The public can find out more information by calling 310-828-4123 or by visiting LACancerChallenge.com.

How else can you help?  Wear purple!  Show support by wearing a purple wristband embossed with the Foundation?s motto: You can hope, or you can help.  Bands are $2.00 each and are sold in packs of 10.  To purchase, please visit pancreatic.org or call (310) 473-5121.

Support a Creative Effort to Raise Funds to Fight Pancreatic Cancer

Peacock Blue Design Studio is selling all of their purple hats to help fight pancreatic cancer.

From their website:
My beautiful Mother passed away after an incredible battle with pancreatic cancer on August 6th. I have pledged to continue fighting this horrible disease for her by doing all I can to to help raise awareness and research funding for pancreatic cancer. All funds from the sale of purple pieces offered on this page, less any PayPal fees and shipping costs, will be donated to organizations fighting pancreatic cancer. While the purchase of goods is not tax-deductable, you can feel proud that buying a Peacock Blue Design Studio PurpleSale piece will help support a good cause! We will try to create more purple pieces in the upcoming months.

On October 11, 2009 I will be participating in the PurpleStride Maryland 2009 event. All purchases made by October 10, 2009 will be applied to my fundraising campaign for the walk, which goes toward the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Any purchases made after this date will be divided as donations toward the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Johns Hopkins Pancreatic Cancer Research Center.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, yet it only receives 2% of the available funding for cancer research. Many people are not aware of this disease until it strikes family or friends. Most people do not know they have pancreatic cancer until they become symptomatic, and by then it is far too late for effective treatment. Pancreatic cancer kills 75% of its victims within a year after diagnosis, and only 5% survive the following five years. According to Randy Pausch's presentation to Congress, the current progress that has been made for pancreatic cancer research is where breast cancer research was in the 1930's!

Now, start shopping for the cure!