November 4, 2011

Mayor Emanuel, Illinois Senate President Cullerton Help Turn the Town Purple for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today joined Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, Alderman Brendan Reilly and representatives from the Pancreatic Cancer Network to announce that 15 buildings are “going purple” in support of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

“Today, Chicago’s skyline will turn purple in honor of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and will serve to raise public awareness of this very serious disease as we work to find a cure,” said Mayor Emanuel. “The sad reality is that most patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer today hear the same prognosis that patients did 40 years ago. That’s why we must work as a nation to pass the Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act, to develop a long-term and comprehensive strategic plan for pancreatic cancer research.”

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. This year in Illinois, 1,850 will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and 1,610 people in the state will die from it.

“On behalf of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, I salute the City of Chicago and Mayor Emanuel for recognizing November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. The Chicago skyline being lit purple, in honor of all those affected by pancreatic cancer, creates much-needed awareness for the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. We are grateful to Chicago for joining the movement to defeat pancreatic cancer,” said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Mayor Emanuel commended Illinois representatives that have already co-sponsored the Act including Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and five other members of Illinois congressional delegation.

The participating buildings include: Willis Tower, Trump Tower, Wrigley Building, Diamond Building (150 N. Michigan Ave.), Inland Steel (30 W. Monroe St), Northern Trust Bank, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Bloomingdale’s (900 N Michigan Ave.), The Clare at Water Tower (55 E Pearson St.), The W Hotel (172 W. Adams St.), The Goodman Theatre Building, Northwestern University Brittanica Clock Tower, City Tower at O'Hare, AON Building, Westin Hotel (909 N. Michigan Ave.) and BOMA.

“I want to thank the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network for creating hope and its advocacy for a cure through research, patient support and community outreach,” Emanuel added.

 

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