In 2002, GCADA lost a longtime member and friend in Ron Borcherding, who passed away from pancreatic cancer at a time when treatment options and support for patients and family members were minimal at best. Years later, our good friend and past President of the Association, Ken Falhaber, was diagnosed with the same disease. In his four-year long battle with pancreatic cancer, Ken worked relentlessly to raise awareness and money here in Cincinnati and helped kick start the PurpleStride fundraiser. GCADA works to promote and support this cause together with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in memory of our friends and colleagues.

PurpleStride walks around the country are one of the largest single sources of funding for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). Pancreatic cancer is currently the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S, with a 9% relative 5-year survival rate. Money raised will fund promising research initiatives and clinical trials, as well as patient services to provide information on the disease and treatment options to patients and family members.

For the past several years, GCADA has been a sponsor of the PurpleStride event. Each year, we join the Falhaber Family and the Borcherding Family in support of this worthy cause. By making a donation in memory of Ken, Ron and all others who have been impacted by pancreatic cancer, you are supporting PanCAN’s efforts to double the survival rate of this deadly disease by 2020.