The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure has announced its partnership with Macy’s Shop for a Cause.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, Oct. 17. Participants can help the Puget Sound Affiliate of Pancreatic Cancer Action Network by purchasing a $5 Shopping Pass for exclusive savings and special offers in every Macy’s store, including the Redmond Town Center location, on Oct. 17.

The passes are also valid for online shopping at Macys.com and can be purchased pre-event or on Oct. 17 at select Macy’s stores. As a participating charity, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will receive 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of each pass to support their mission to advance research, support patients and create hope for a disease that has gone unrecognized and underfunded for far too long.

To purchase Shop for a Cause passes to benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, contact Joan Mabbutt at jmabbutt@pancanvolunteer.org or (360) 981-3409.

Pancreatic Cancer has the highest mortality among leading cancer killers and has claimed the lives of many public figures, including political columnist William Safire, actor Patrick Swayze, former American Medical Association President Dr. Ron Davis, Carnegie Mellon University Professor Dr. Randy Pausch, and NFL Players Association President Gene Upshaw.

This year, more than 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and more than 35,000 will die. The five-year survival rate is less than five percent and has remained largely unchanged in the last 30 years because early detection tools and effective treatments have yet to be developed. Despite these sobering statistics, less than two percent of the National Cancer Institute’s federal research funding is currently allocated to pancreatic cancer.

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Puget Sound affiliate, visit www.pancan.org.