When News All Day anchor Ruschell Boone was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the organization, PanCan, reached out to offer their support. Boone was grateful for their assistance, as she knew very little about the disease. But it wasn’t just organizations that helped her.

Boone received a message online from someone who said that their husband was a survivor and offered to connect them. That survivor is Rob Caruano and Boone just met him for the first time.

Caruano and Julie Fleshman, President and CEO of PanCan joined “News All Day” to talk about the fight to end pancreatic cancer, which is on the rise among younger people and women of color.

On April 29, PanCan is holding “PurpleStride,” a walk to help end pancreatic cancer. Spectrum News is the media sponsor and I’ll be the master of ceremonies.

Symptoms can include stomach pain, back pain, unexplained weight loss, and jaundice. The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is just 1 %. But that is an enormous improvement from six years ago.

Caruano says it’s so important to listen to your body. He woke up one night with a terrible pain in what he thought was his stomach, but was actually his pancreas. He also recommends advocating for yourself throughout the process.

For more information or to sign up for the walk, go to PanCan.org.