Cancer Awareness 5k events are charity run/walks focused on cancer fundraising and awareness. PanCAN’s PurpleStride serves as the primary national example. PurpleStride is a 5K walk/run supporting the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a U.S. nonprofit based in Manhattan Beach, California. The series attracts over 80,000 participants in nearly 60 U.S. communities, with local volunteer groups managing the events.
Each city selects its own local route, so there is no single fixed course. The common structure is a short, accessible 5K suitable for runners, walkers, families, survivors, caregivers, and teams fundraising in honor of an individual. The broader PanCAN initiative supports biomedical research, patient and caregiver aid, community outreach, and advocacy for federal research funding. In a recent year, PurpleStride raised over $10.5 million from nearly 82,000 participants, and PanCAN’s community events have collectively generated more than $87 million for the pancreatic cancer cause.