News Release
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Laurie E. Bick-Jensen
Director,
Public Relations
320 DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE
19720
(302) 295-1164
laurie.e.bick@wilmu.edu
Wilmington University Goes Green at PurpleStride
Team shines in 5K run/walk to raise money for pancreatic cancer research
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE -- In a sea of purple, Wilmington University proudly showed its colors.
A 50-plus-member team of faculty, staff, students and student-athletes participated in the PurpleStride 5K run/walk to raise money for pancreatic cancer research on a sunny, warm June day along Wilmington's Riverfront. In its first year in Delaware, the event attracted more than 900 participants total and to date has raised $93,000.
Team Wilmington University raised more than $3,000 and was recognized as a Top Team (called a “Passion Team”).
Matt Wilson, Assistant Professor and Chair of the First Year Experience Program at the University, helped organize the event. He’s also a pancreatic cancer survivor. In addition to team participation, the University was one of the main sponsors of the event.
“It is estimated that more than 45,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, and more than 38,000 will die from the disease,” Wilson said. “It is the fourth leading cause of cancer death, with a five-year survival rate of just 6 percent. Pancreatic cancer has the lowest relative survival rate of any major cancer.”
More information, as well as a link to photos from the event, can be found here. Online donations are still being accepted.
In addition to Wilmington University, other sponsors of the event included CBSPhilly.com and the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center at Christiana Care Health Services.
About Wilmington University
Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit university committed to offering flexible and career-oriented undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs while maintaining small class sizes, individualized attention and affordable tuition. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636) or toll free 877-967-5464, via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu or visit our website at www.wilmu.edu.
