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.

“This is the first time in the history of our event that we have had to cancel because of the weather, yet the amount of support from participants and the community has surpassed our expectations, “said Alan Kosten, Chairman of the Herb Kosten Pancreatic Cancer Charitable Fund.  “Individual and team fundraising far exceeded our goal and we had some of the largest teams and largest number of teams in the history of the event. I firmly believe that had the weather cooperated, we would have easily topped last year’s record of $150,000 raised. We are so thankful to everyone for supporting this wonderful event and the fight to end pancreatic cancer.”

Money raised from the Kick It 5K and other Kosten Foundation events helps fund pancreatic cancer research. The Memphis-based Kosten Foundation organization has raised close to $2,000,000 for pancreatic cancer research and assists with programs such as the Kosten Foundation’s Pancreatic Cancer Support Group, which meets the second Saturday of every month at the Cordova Public Library.