Thousands don purple to fight pancreatic cancer

More than 8,000 people came out to Jones Beach on Sunday morning to fight a disease that claims about 40,000 lives in the United States every year. The Lustgarten Foundation held its 15th annual Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk, raising more than $1 million.

According to the Bethpage-based Lustgarten Foundation, 100 percent of money raised goes to pancreatic cancer research and awareness. Only 7 percent of people diagnosed with the disease survive more than five years.

Participants in the walk, which took place on the Boardwalk, wore purple to show their support for finding a cure. The Lustgarten Foundation was founded in 1998, and since then has directed more than $110 million to cancer research. More information can be found at www.curePC.org.