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- Posted Tuesday October 30, 2018
Pancreatic cancer survivors celebrate Nov. 4 at TGen’s Step-N-Out run-walk in Scottsdale
Step-N-Out 5K FUNdraiser supports clinical trials that prolong patient survival; seek end to pancreatic cancer
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Oct. 30, 2018 — Once viewed as a death sentence, pancreatic cancer is becoming more survivable thanks to innovative discoveries by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope.
This Sunday, Nov. 4, many long-term pancreatic cancer survivors will celebrate with nearly 1,000 participants organized by TGen at the 13th annual Step-N-Out 5K FUNdraiser for pancreatic cancer research. For the fifth year, Step-N-Out will be at the Scottsdale Sports Complex, 8081 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale.
Step-N-Out is a family-friendly morning of races, music, games and activities — including a photo booth and face painting — all celebrating TGen's efforts to stomp out this devastating cancer.
“This is one of our favorite events because it draws the participation of the entire Arizona community,” said Erin Massey, Chief Development Officer at TGen and Vice President of Philanthropy at City of Hope. “The funds we raise through Step-N-Out help enable more patients to receive the lifesaving innovative treatments being developed here at TGen.”
Median survival for those with advanced pancreatic cancer was once less than 6 months. Now, more than 70 percent of patients experience major tumor shrinkage; 65 percent survive at least a year, up from only 2 percent; 14 percent survive two years, up from nearly none; and many patients are surviving years longer. One of those patients is Steve Mielke, and you can hear his story — one of many featured podcasts — at TGen Talks.
Under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, TGen Distinguished Professor and Physician-In-Chief — one of the world’s leading experts on pancreatic cancer — TGen led a major international clinical trial that resulted in the 2013 FDA approval of nab-paclitaxel in combination with gemcitabine as the nation's standard of care for late stage pancreatic cancer.
Subsequent and ongoing TGen-designed clinical trials are leading to more patients surviving years longer. Of the 44 pancreatic cancer clinical trials conducted since 1990, only four have extended patient survival, and three of those were led by TGen.
Still, more than 44,000 Americans will succumb this year to this aggressive disease, the nation’s third leading cause of cancer death, eclipsed only by lung and colon cancers.
Competitive and fun races at Step-N-Out are geared for all ages and abilities, including the event's signature 5K run. Participants can still register at the event, which in past years has raised a total of more than $1 million. Participants don't have to be at Step-N-Out to help. You can donate at events.tgen.org.
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If you go to Step-N-Out:
What: TGen's 13th annual Step-N-Out 5K FUNdraiser for pancreatic cancer research.
Where: Scottsdale Sports Complex, 8081 E. Princess Drive, northeast of Hayden and Bell roads, between Loop 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard.
When: 7:30-11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.; a competitive 5K run begins at 9 a.m.; a fun 1-mile run/walk starts at 9:15 a.m.; a free 50-yard kids' dash is planned for 10:30 a.m.
Cost: Registration fees range from $15 to $35, depending on age. Children age 4 and under are free.
Parking: Free.
More information: Contact Lindsey Kent at [email protected] or (602) 343-8681.
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About TGen, an affiliate of City of Hope
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is affiliated with City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and cancer and diabetes treatment center: www.cityofhope.org. This precision medicine affiliation enables both institutes to complement each other in research and patient care, with City of Hope providing a significant clinical setting to advance scientific discoveries made by TGen. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases, through cutting edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org. Follow TGen on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @TGen.
Media Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
