Project Purple®

We are 50 days away from the Chicago Marathon and our excitement continues to build as we start to approach race day! This team of 150 runners is now our largest run team ever and we can't wait to see the streets of Chicago turn purple on October 13th! Until then Chicago runners continue to fundraise and make your miles matter so come race day you'll be ready for the Windy City!💜

Our Founder and CEO, Dino Verrelli, sat down with our Program Director, Vin Kampf, to express their excitement for the upcoming marathon season. Vin shares his favorite memories in Chicago, as it was the first marathon he attended and would later run himself. He and Dino also discuss the statistics of the races and reveal upcoming races that we will have teams at, including some from past years and many new opportunities to run. Also, Dino teases November events and announces that 2025 will mark the 15th anniversary of Project Purple! Listen to episode 297 of the Project Purple Podcast to learn more about what Project Purple has in the works! Click the link to hear or search the Project Purple Podcast on your favorite listening platform for the complete discussion: https://lnkd.in/eTnyd583

To spread awareness about pancreatic cancer, we ventured to New Haven, the nation's pizza capital. Joining us were Dino Verrelli, Founder and CEO, Kevin Spies, Grill Guy, and Colin Caplan, Taste of New Haven. Together, we enjoyed delicious pizza at Zeneli Pizzeria while advocating for a world free from this devastating disease. Follow along with us as we celebrate our Connecticut and Italian roots with a slice of New Haven culture! To make a difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer click the link: https://lnkd.in/eT3h57xE

On Saturday, the 7th running of the Horner Hustle took place. Over 190 participants made their miles matter, raising over $18,000 for early detection and a cure for pancreatic cancer in honor of Mike Horner. We want to thank everyone who participated in this event for demonstrating how powerful our Project Purple community is!

Since inception, we have awarded over $1,150,000 to over 1,350 patients and their families. Through your support, we can continue to provide vital assistance through our Patient Aid Programs. Consider donating today to help us assist more patients battling pancreatic cancer. Your contribution will help provide aid for essential bills like utilities and medications, making a genuine difference in the lives of so many. Click the link to make a recurring donation today: https://lnkd.in/eMGz4dDG

Volunteering is a powerful way to make a difference and support those affected by pancreatic cancer. We are proud to have a dedicated community of volunteers who are passionate about our mission to raise awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research. Whether you're looking to give your time, skills, or resources, there are many ways to get involved and make a positive impact. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by pancreatic cancer. To volunteer with us, click the link to check out our upcoming volunteer opportunities: https://lnkd.in/eG3Q-ATc

Join along as we take you on a tour of our office and see where the team with a dream of a world without pancreatic cancer makes an impact every day!💜

From fitness attire to purple carpet threads, we have everything you need to represent your cause in style. Let everyone know that you represent the community committed to a world without pancreatic cancer!💜 https://lnkd.in/epECrFye

Meet Holly Shawyer, a teacher living in South Carolina. She began experiencing stabbing pain in her abdomen, accompanied by radiating left shoulder pain. When her pain persisted, she insisted on having scans, which revealed a large cyst on her pancreas. Although initially thought to be benign by doctors, further scans identified a pre-cancerous nodule. She underwent a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy in 2023 that successfully removed a cancerous cyst along with the spleen, indicating stage 1 pancreatic cancer. This was followed by six months of chemotherapy while she continued working as a full-time teacher. Today, Holly is in remission after completing treatment in June 2024. Listen to episode 296 of the Project Purple Podcast as Holly reflects on how exhausting it was for her to balance work and treatments, the lack of sick leave offered as a teacher, and the enduring side effects. Click the link to hear or search the Project Purple Podcast on your favorite listening platform for the complete discussion: https://lnkd.in/d9AA4gCp

Jill Grefe was first made aware of pancreatic cancer when her cousin's husband, Scott, was diagnosed with the disease. Jill saw how aggressive this cancer was and how it takes a toll on a family. A couple of years after her first personal experience with pancreatic cancer, Jill's mom, Jane, was diagnosed in 2006. From the moment her mom was diagnosed, she faced her battle head-on. Sadly, in April 2007, her mom passed away. Today Jill is using Project Purple's Pioneer Program to do good and raise awareness for pancreatic cancer in her mom's memory. To read more about Jill's story, click the link: https://lnkd.in/eWp-Hv5C