picture your world purple winners

Campaign Heightens Awareness of Pancreatic Cancer in 2008

Awareness of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the disease itself was enhanced substantially in 2008, especially through our RAISE YOUR VOICE November campaign during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

The attention of many legislators was captured through the efforts of dedicated advocates across the country: 7,389 supporters sent 21,909 letters to their members of Congress throughout the year.

While legislative advocates worked on increasing government support of pancreatic cancer research, others focused their efforts on generating media support. Thanks to their hard work, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network received 221 media hits during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Letters to the editor and human interest stories helped raise the visibility of the disease and the organization by reaching nearly 19 million people nationwide.

On the fundraising side, supporters raised more than $55,000 during November through personal fundraising pages.

In another outstanding demonstration of awareness building, supporters were asked to host activities during November and submit photos of their accomplishments as part of Picture Your World Purple. Dozens of creative photos were submitted and the winning photos appear below.

Congratulations to all of our winners, and kudos to everyone who participated in RAISE YOUR VOICE.

 

PICTURE YOUR WORLD PURPLE: THE WINNING SUBMISSIONS
(click on image to see larger photos) 

First Place

Second Place

Third Place

Photo by Samantha Rohrman–Struthers, OH

Students at Struthers High School held a bake sale, wore purple ribbons and made sweatshirts to celebrate awareness month. The Wildcats also raised money by allowing students to pay a dollar to wear sandals to school. A total of 119 students and staff at the school dressed in purple on November 14.

Photo by Ellen Bartz – Dorr, MI

Employees of Spartan Stores showed their support for co-worker and pancreatic cancer survivor Sally Lake by hosting a series of events in her honor. The organizers raised more than $800 through their fundraisers.

Photo by Allison Vo – Dallas, TX

Members of the Methodist Dallas Medical Center pancreatic cancer support group distributed ribbons and literature throughout November and held events to celebrate the group’s anniversary. The group, whose 2008 theme was featured various super heroes, won last year’s contest by becoming the “Purple Posse”.

 
Youth Division
  
First Place (kids)
Second Place (kids)
Third Place (kids)

Photo by Betty Cohn – Merrick, NY

Cohn chose to focus her bat mitzvah project on increasing awareness of pancreatic cancer. The purpose of a mitzvah project is to teach teens about the importance of social service and good deeds. Cohn made and distributed pins to her sixth grade class at Birch School, and participating students wore the pins for three days in November.

Photo by Kendall Corbett – Mount Pleasant, SC

Seventh-grade students at Cario Middle School wore purple and formed a human awareness ribbon under the leadership of science teacher Corbett, who lost her father-in-law to pancreatic cancer.

Photo by Michelle Sfara – Brooklyn, NY

Eleven-year-old Michelle distributed wristbands and organized fellow students and staff at Our Lady of Guadalupe School to honor her grandfather. Although students at Michelle’s school must wear uniforms, faculty members wore purple on November 14 in tribute. Through her efforts, Michelle collected $180 in donations.

 
To view all of the other "Picture Your World Purple" entries, click here.