BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — PanCAN PurpleStride is a national event that draws in hundreds of people to raise awareness to end pancreatic cancer and Saturday was the first time they have hosted it in Baton Rouge.

Louisiana has one of the highest rates of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It is a rare but deadly disease that affects the pancreas. Many of those who overcame it were able to come out and speak on their journey, along with many family members of those who passed away from it.

Marquesa Murray and Katie Buche are co-affiliates for PanCAN. They both lost their mothers to pancreatic cancer and say that this cause means a lot to them.

“Not having them and having to watch them go through that experience is kind of fueling why we’re out here, why we’re doing what we’re doing,” said Murray.

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The survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only at 13%. Southern University football head assistant coach Sean Wallace is a part of that percentage. He says he first discovered he had pancreatic cancer in 2023, while still coaching for Southern University.

“It was a surprise because I didn’t have any symptoms or anything like that,” said Wallace.

Wallace spoke at the event, reflecting on when he first discovered he had cancer and how it affected the football team. He says that his wife stood by his side the entire time taking care of him and helping him throughout the process.

Despite treatments and therapy, Wallace still chose to coach and work for the football team. Wallace says that he never missed practice or a game.

He says although it was a tough battle, that didn’t stop him from doing what he loved. He received a huge support system.

“However, I got a great supporting team between my family and my pastor, my church community and my team,” said Wallace.

Wallace says he’s thankful for the event being brought to Baton Rouge for the first time.

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“We got to make people aware so we can get those numbers up for the survivorship,” said Wallace.

Buche says that in order to get more survivors, they need to keep pushing and raising more awareness.

“Having this event here is important to bring awareness, to bring more survivors,” said Buche.

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