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Summary:
- Window Nation supported Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's PurpleStride Maryland event on April 26, 2025, as a premier sponsor.
- A group of local Window Nation employees joined over 120 other teams participating in the fundraising walk.
- Inspired by survivors' stories, Jeff Beck, Window Nation CEO and President, pledged an extra $10,000 donation to kickstart on-site donations.
- PanCAN surpassed its fundraising goal for the PurpleStride Maryland event, totaling $255,532. Over 1,100 participants helped to make this event such a success.
Over 67,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer annually. Currently, most patients only have a 13 percent five-year survival rate, making it one of the world's deadliest cancers.
For over two decades, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) has been hard at work to combat this reality and create a new world where pancreatic cancer patients survive and thrive. Their annual PurpleStride event provides nearly 60 communities across the nation an opportunity to come together to raise awareness and funds to provide life-changing programs and services for pancreatic cancer patients and their families.
This year, Window Nation employees from the corporate office joined over 100 other teams at the Maryland PurpleStride walk in Baltimore, Maryland.
"I don't think I can think of a better metaphor for perseverance than waking up bright and early and running a 5K uphill in the rain in late April," says Wes Seals, a Window Nation employee. "The number of people who showed out despite the poor weather who were in the mood to dance, share stories, crack jokes, and create an all-round family environment was a beautiful thing to be a part of."
To kick off the event, Jeff Beck, Window Nation's CEO and President, spoke to attendees and pledged an extra $10,00 to kickstart the on-site donations.
"Giving back is part of me, it's something I believe right to my core. I was honored to be at the Maryland Purple Stride event, representing Window Nation and showing support for the hundreds of local families impacted by pancreatic cancer. It was really surreal to see so many families there honoring a loved one that didn't survive this disease, and it inspired me to make another donation in the moment," says Jeff Beck.
The PurpleStride Maryland event successfully fundraised a total of $255,532, surpassing its goal by over $10,000. With 17 registered survivors attending the event, the success of this event hit very close to home.
"You never know when an extra donation is the catalyst that others need to support with a donation themselves, and those contributions can mean advancements in treatment, better care, and hopefully, lead to a cure for pancreatic cancer," continues Jeff Beck.
Wes Seals agrees. "Being part of a company able to contribute $30,000 towards helping the people who are suffering from this disease, and also being able to meet people at our PurpleStride, was a very powerful and emotional experience."
Fundraising efforts from the event have allowed PanCAN to continue providing free, critical one-to-one support for patients, invest in innovative research, build more resources for underserved and minority communities who face barriers to care, and more.
"When it comes to this disease that can be so isolating, community is everything - and we can't thank Window Nation enough for stepping up for their community as a PurpleStride sponsor," says Anna Somers, PanCAN Community Relationship Manager.
PanCAN's PurpleStride Maryland event is just one of many events Window Nation took part in and donated to this year. For an overview of all the community Events, fundraisers, and donation drives Window Nation Cares supports across the nation, click here.