Kosten Foundation Announces Local Efforts for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Organizations and Individuals throughout the Mid-South Join together to Raise Awareness of Pancreatic Cancer in November
Memphis, Tenn., November 1, 2017 – The Kosten Foundation is bringing awareness to one of the most deadly forms of cancer during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month this November with various initiatives and events, including their 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. 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.
The Memphis community is turning the city purple, the color for pancreatic awareness, this November. Memphis-based Kosten Foundation, City of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell will officially proclaim World Pancreatic Awareness Day, November 16, 2017, as Kosten Foundation Purple Day for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness. The public is invited to participate and celebrate all month long, by wearing purple or lighting up their residence and/or office purple. Those that would like to show support with a yard sign can contact the Kosten Foundation to arrange to pick-up a yard sign. Ballet Memphis will display information about the Kosten Foundation and pancreatic cancer throughout the month in their lobby.
“We wanted to make November in Memphis and Kosten Foundation Purple Day for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness something that will change the way we think about philanthropy and community service for generations to come,” said Alan Kosten, Chairman of the Herb Kosten Pancreatic Cancer Charitable Fund. “We feel humbled and honored by our community’s support in bringing awareness to this deadly form of cancer.”
| Event | Date | Time | Event Location | Notes |
| Monthly Support Group Meeting | Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 10 a.m. | Cordova Public Library 8457 Trinity Rd., Cordova |
Free, monthly support group meeting for people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, people who have beaten it, and friends and family members. Contact Kathryn Craig at kgilbertcraig@comcast.net or (901) 832-4782 with any questions. |
| The Kosten Foundation Annual Symposium | Wednesday, November 15, 2017 | 9 a.m. | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center 956 Court Avenue, Memphis |
Keynote speaker is Dr. Charles Vollmer, professor of surgery at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Vollmer will lecture on an odyssey with pancreatic fistula. Free and open to the public. |
| Hilton Memphis Turns Purple | Thursday, November 16 to Sunday, November 19, 2017 | All Day | Hilton Memphis 939 Ridge Lake Blvd., Memphis |
The entryway, lobby, and bar will be decorated in purple. |
| Levitt Shell Turns Purple | Thursday, November 16, 2017 | 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. | Levitt Shell
1928 Poplar Ave., Memphis |
The stage will turn purple for Kosten Foundation Purple Day. Share photos using the hashtag #KFDPurpleDay! |
| Kendra Scott in Saddle Creek Fundraiser | Thursday, November 16, 2017 | 11 a.m. to
2 p.m. |
Kendra Scott Store in Saddle Creek 7515 Poplar, #105, Germantown |
The Saddle Creek Kendra Scott store will donate 20 percent of proceeds from all sales between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to the Kosten Foundation. Share your photos using the hashtag #KFDPurpleDay! |
| Mayoral Proclamation “Kosten Foundation Purple Day for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness” | Thursday, November 16, 2017 | 5:15 p.m. | Martyrs Park Channel 3 Dr., Memphis |
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell proclaim November 16 as “Kosten Foundation Purple Day for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness,” followed by the lighting of the bridge at 5:30 p.m. Share photos on social media using the hashtag #KFDPurpleDay! |
| Big River Crossing Bridge Turns Purple | Thursday, November 16, 2017 | 5:30 p.m. to EOD | Big River Crossing Bridge Big River Crossing, Memphis |
Big River Crossing Bridge turns purple for World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day, starting at sundown. Share your photos using the hashtags #KFDPurpleDay and #WPCD! |
| Tribute at Twilight | Saturday, November 18, 2017 | 5:45 p.m. | Cancer Survivor Park 701 Perkins Extended, Memphis |
An event to remember those lost to pancreatic cancer and celebrate survivors. There will be a sharing of stories, balloon release and glow sticks in remembrance and honor of those lost to pancreatic cancer and those still fighting it. Free and open to the public. |
| Giving Tuesday | Tuesday, November 28, 2017 | All Day | www.kostenfoundation.com | A global day of giving and thanks. Help others through the gift of your time, donations, goods or your voice. Throughout November, all donations to the Kosten Foundation will be matched by Susan and Alan Kosten. |
The Kosten Foundation can be found online at:
http://www.kostenfoundation.com
http://www.facebook.com/kosten-foundation
http://www.twitter.com/kostenfdn
About Pancreatic Cancer:
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult diseases to diagnose, mainly because there are no “definitive” symptoms, but also because standard tests often return negative results. Patients often comment on experiencing a variety of symptoms prior to diagnoses, including unintended weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, back or belly pain, fatigue and jaundice. According to the American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates:
- About 53,670 people (27,970 men and 25,700 women) will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year.
- About 43,090 people (22,300 men and 20,790 women) will die of pancreatic cancer this year.
- Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the US and about 7% of all cancer deaths.
- The average lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer for both men and women is about 1 in 65 (1.5%).
About the Kosten Foundation:
The Kosten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research was founded in 2003 by the family of Herb Kosten after his death due to pancreatic cancer. Kosten’s family sought to improve community support, awareness, and funding for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest known cancers. The organization has raised over $1,000,000 for pancreatic cancer research and hosts a very active monthly support group meeting for patients, their families, and anyone interested in learning more about pancreatic cancer. In 2004, in honor of Kosten’s love of tennis, the Memphis-based organization began hosting annual tennis tournaments to raise money to fight pancreatic cancer, and in 2011 the group held its first Kick It 5K run/walk. The annual signature event has grown to include more than 2,000 participants. Money raised from the Kick It 5K and other Kosten Foundation events helps fund pancreatic cancer research and support fellowship training for future pancreatic cancer surgeons at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. In addition, the Foundation presents a yearly symposium headlined by nationally recognized leaders in the field of pancreatic cancer. For more information about the Kosten Foundation, its programs, and events, visit the website at kostenfoundation.com.