DENVER — The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) announced the cancellation of PurpleStride Colorado, their annual 5K walk/run fundraising event, due to ongoing protests at the Auraria Campus, where the event was supposed to be held Saturday.
Pro-Palestinian protests continued for a third consecutive day at Auraria's Tivoli Quad. Following dozens of arrests on Friday afternoon, many returned for another day in the rain to gather and listen to speakers. According to the Auraria Campus, there were no engagements with police and no arrests Saturday.
The cancellation decision came one day before the event, with PanCAN Colorado citing safety and well-being as their top priority.
Kara Saldeen, the missions chair for PanCAN Colorado, emphasized the year-long dedication behind the event, highlighting the remarkable achievement of raising over $317,000 this year, marking a record-breaking fundraising effort for the organization.
Saldeen, whose personal connection to pancreatic cancer drives her involvement, shared, "I've been a volunteer for the last 24 years, because I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer. I do it for my dad, who I know would have been amazed at our success this year."
The 5K event typically serves as both a celebration of life and a remembrance, but also a beacon of hope for patients, families, and caregivers currently going through treatment.
The start and finish line was supposed to be at the site of the protests, where a village with various tents is usually set up. Saldeen said more than 1,000 participants were expected, including 40 pancreatic cancer survivors.
"We also had over 100 teams, families, groups that come together and they walk in memory of a loved one or in support of a loved one that's currently fighting pancreatic cancer," said Saldeen.
The survival rate for pancreatic cancer is now 13%, an improvement compared to previous years. However, organizers express concern that some patients that would have attended this year's event may not be able to participate in next year's due to the severity of the disease.
"They didn't get to experience today what PurpleStride is all about," Saldeen remarked, visibly emotional. "Hopefully, they'll be there next year. But I know they'll be looking on from above as well. It's hard."
Despite the cancellation, volunteers distributed 5K T-shirts at Ball Arena Saturday morning, noting a strong turnout. Plans for a smaller summer picnic event in June were also announced, with hopes of reconnecting with those who were unable to attend PurpleStride Colorado.
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