Memphis, Tenn., May 6, 2019 – While severe weather may have forced the cancellation of the Kosten Foundation’s Ninth Annual Kick It 5k on Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Shelby Farms Park, the more than 1,300 registered runners, walkers, volunteers, pancreatic cancer survivors, and supporters raised more than $135,000 to support the fight to end pancreatic cancer, the third deadliest cancer. Participants also set new records for individual team fundraising and near-record levels for the number and size of teams. Groups took to social media to share their unique stories and show support for the Kosten Foundation and the fight against pancreatic cancer despite the stormy weather.
Memphis, Tenn., March 20, 2019 – The 9th
Annual Kick It 5K will take place Sunday, April 7 at Shelby Farms Park at 1
p.m. The all-ages event includes a 5K run, 1-mile fun walk, opportunities for
spirit runners, an inspirational survivor ceremony, entertainment, and food
vendors. Registration is open at https://kickit5k.racesonline.com/.
Register for the Kick It 5K Before March 20 to
be Entered into a Drawing to Win a Fitbit
Memphis, Tenn., February 5, 2019 – The
9th Annual Kick It 5K will take place Sunday, April 7 at Shelby
Farms Park at 1 p.m. The all-ages event includes a 5K run, 1-mile fun walk,
opportunities for spirit runners, an inspirational survivor ceremony, entertainment,
and food vendors. Registration is open at https://kickit5k.racesonline.com/. Individuals who
register on or before March 20 will be entered into a drawing to win a Fitbit!
Organizations and Individuals throughout the Mid-South
joined together to Raise Awareness and Funds to Fight Pancreatic Cancer
MEMPHIS,
TENN., December 13, 2018 – This November, the Kosten Foundation raised $13,150
to fight pancreatic cancer and brought awareness to one of the most deadly forms of cancer. Individuals and
businesses across the region and state participated in more than 15 events,
including the annual symposium lecture, City and County Mayoral Proclamations,
purple lighting of public and private structures, a Tribute at Twilight event, and
Kosten Foundation Purple Day for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness. The majority of the money raised by the Kosten Foundation helps fund pancreatic cancer research and support fellowship training
for future pancreatic cancer surgeons at the University of Tennessee Health
Science Center. Since 2006, the Kosten
Foundation has donated over $1.5M to the UTHSC pancreatic cancer research team.
Tribute
at Twilight Honors and Remembers Those Affected by Pancreatic Cancer during
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Memphis, Tenn., November 19, 2018 – The Kosten Foundation’s Tribute at Twilight event on November 3 paid tribute to those lost to and affected by pancreatic cancer. Approximately 25 people gathered in Cancer Survivors Park, despite the cold windy weather, to share personal memorials to loved ones and support for those who are currently fighting the deadly disease. The event included a symbolic purple pinwheel display, a reading of the names of those who had passed away, and a glow stick ceremony.
Organizations and Individuals Throughout the Mid-South
Join Together to Raise Awareness of Pancreatic Cancer in November
Memphis, Tenn., November 8, 2018 – The Kosten Foundation is
bringing awareness to one of the most deadly
forms of cancer during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month again this November with
various initiatives and events, including their annual symposium lecture, a Tribute
at Twilight event, purple lighting of public and private structures, purple
items at local businesses, and Purple PANCakes for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
at Strano by Chef Josh. All donations to the Kosten Foundation in November will
also be matched by Susan and Alan Kosten. Donations can be made online at www.kostenfoundation.com.
Buy a bike in November and All About Bikes will donate $20 to fight Pancreatic Cancer.
Memphis, Tenn., October 24, 2018 – Memphis-based nonprofit Kosten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Support and All About Bikes invite the community to join in the fight against the third most deadly cancer during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month this November. For every bike purchased at All About Bikes on 621 S. Mendenhall Road in Memphis, Tennessee, $20 will be donated to the Kosten Foundation.
“We are incredibly thankful to Tommy James and the team at All About Bikes for supporting us during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month by donating $20 of each new bike purchased in November to the Kosten Foundation,” says Alan Kosten, Chairman of the Herb Kosten Pancreatic Cancer Charitable Fund. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to finding a cure for this terrible disease and we encourage you to participate and join us during our many initiatives coming up this month as we fight together as a community.”
Over 150 attendees learned firsthand about the work the Memphis-based Pancreatic Cancer Research Team is performing to try to cure the deadly disease.
Memphis, Tenn., October 18, 2018 – More than 150 people turned out to learn about pancreatic cancer at The Kosten Foundation’s Fourth Annual Purple Night, held October 6, 2018, at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC.) The event is designed to bring together researchers, physicians, patients, and their families and showcases work underway at UTHSC to find biomarkers for pancreatic cancer, establish new treatments, and train the next generation of researchers who will unlock the secrets of the disease. The evening is open to the public and includes recognition of survivors, a memorial to those who have died from the disease in the past year, and a meal of Indian food prepared by India Palace Restaurant and served by the research team, making it a celebration of life.
“Purple Night gives individuals the opportunity to meet the Pancreatic Cancer Research Team, learn what they are working on, and hear about advancements they have made to help fight this deadly disease,” said Alan Kosten, chairman of the Herb Kosten Pancreatic Cancer Charitable Fund. “The Kosten Foundation exists to support events such as these, as well as to help fund research to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, and provide resources and support to those battling the disease.”
Research has shown that people who carry mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (typically associated with breast and ovarian cancer) have a higher risk of several types of cancer, including the rare and deadly pancreatic cancer. While the proportion of specific harmful BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations varies among individual racial and ethnic groups, people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have been proven to have a higher prevalence of mutations in both genes. According to the National Cancer Institute, 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews, both men and women carry a BRCA gene mutation — more than ten times the rate of the general population, significantly increasing their risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
“I had no idea about the increased risk for pancreatic cancer for members of the Jewish community,” says Alan Kosten, Chairman of the Herb Kosten Pancreatic Cancer Charitable Fund and an active member of the Jewish community of faith Memphis, Tennessee. “The Kosten family and the Kosten Foundation have been advocating for greater awareness of pancreatic cancer ever since my brother, Herb, passed away from the disease in 2003. This news is something that really hits home for us and has made us take an even closer look at this disease, not just for ourselves, but for the many members of the Jewish community here in the Mid-South and other areas.”
Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths each year and, while it represents only two percent of all cancers, it is responsible for 40 percent of all cancer deaths. What makes pancreatic cancer challenging to treat is that people often do not recognize the symptoms until they are advanced.
Memphis,
Tenn., September 27, 2018 – The Kosten Foundation’s annual Purple Night will
showcase advances by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Pancreatic Cancer Research Team in the fight against Pancreatic Cancer on
October 6, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the University of Tennessee Health
Science Center College of Pharmacy, 881 Madison Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. The
public is invited to the free event to meet the Pancreatic Cancer research team
and learn what they are working on, with support from the Kosten Foundation and
others, to end Pancreatic Cancer. Registration is requested at this link: http://bit.ly/PurpleNight18
Your donation funds our research, support group, symposium series and other valuable projects in our efforts to end pancreatic cancer and to support those touched by the disease.
