The American Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) announced that Jonathan Frakes (“Picard,” “Star Trek: Strange New World” Season 2), Armin Shimerman (“Deep Space Nine”) Kitty Swink– a 20-year pancreatic cancer survivor (“Deep Space Nine”) and John Billingsley (“Star Trek: Enterprise”)– are reuniting team TREK AGAINST PANCREATIC CANCER for PanCAN PurpleStride, the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer. Joining their team this year is Juan Carlos Coto (Executive Producer, ABC’s “9-1-1”), who lost his brother, Manny Coto (Executive Producer, “Star Trek: Enterprise”) to the disease.
The event takes place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Los Angeles and in nearly 60 other communities nationwide. The team is calling on their fans and everyone across the country to join them in the fight to end the disease. PanCAN PurpleStride is the number one way PanCAN raises funds to fuel its mission and the dollars raised change the lives of people facing pancreatic cancer and advance progress against the disease. Swink serves as team captain which has already raised over $100k for the cause.
This is the fourth year in a row that Frakes, Shimerman, and Swink have participated in PanCAN PurpleStride and the second year for Billingsley. The mission for the team is deeply personal – Frakes lost his brother, Daniel, to the disease over 20 years ago. And Kitty Swink is a 20-year pancreatic cancer survivor – her husband, Armin, by her side during the diagnosis and treatment. John Billingsley joined the team last year, he lost his mother to the disease. They are joined this year by Juan Carlos Coto, Executive Producer of ABC’s “9-1-1” who lost his brother, Manny Coto, Executive Producer of “Star Trek: Enterprise,” to pancreatic cancer in 2023.
“Twenty years ago, I faced a daunting pancreatic cancer diagnosis,” said Swink. “Today, I stand here grateful to be a survivor. My story may be uncommon, but I share it to offer a beacon of hope. Together, as a community, we’re stronger. No one should fight this battle alone. This disease may be terrible, but hope persists, and progress is being made.”
“Pancreatic cancer took my best friend, my brother Daniel, far too soon,” said Frakes. “He was given only eight months, and even though we fought tirelessly by his side, he passed away just six months later, a week before my daughter’s birth. That devastating experience showed me firsthand the pain and fear a pancreatic cancer diagnosis brings to a family. It’s why I remain dedicated to using my voice for action and support PanCAN to advocate for everyone impacted by this brutal disease.”
A better world, a brighter future. No disease or suffering. Limitless possibility. Hope. These were all part of Gene Roddenberry’s vision of “Star Trek” – a vision that runs parallel to PanCAN’s mission to create a world where every patient with pancreatic cancer will thrive. No other group of people are more generous and dedicated to hope and the future than the “Star Trek” family. To join or support anyone can visit www.PurpleStride.org/teamtrek.
City by city, supporters will walk the nation in solidarity on Saturday, April 27, to raise national awareness and much-needed funds for pancreatic cancer. Approximately 70,000 participants are expected to come together in person, and anyone can register to participate for free at www.purplestride.org.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer increased to 13%, steadily growing from 7% over the past decade. Along with the low survival rate, no standard detection test and few effective treatment options, there continues to be an urgent need to increase funding, research and awareness to improve outcomes for those affected by the disease.
Notable individuals who have passed in recent years from the disease include “JEOPARDY!” host Alex Trebek, actor Willie Garson, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and U.S. Representative John Lewis.
To find and register for a PanCAN PurpleStride event in your community, visit www.purplestride.org. Those who are unable to attend an event locally can still participate by joining the nationwide event, PurpleStride USA, and registering for free.
For more information on the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and its urgent mission to save lives, visitpancan.org or follow PanCAN on Twitter, Instagram andFacebook.
