PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – South Dakota’s State Capitol turns purple Sunday, Oct. 27 to honor those who have died from, as well as those who have survived, pancreatic cancer.
Organizer John Moisan of Fort Pierre was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June 2014. He says he didn’t feel sick, but his doctor was concerned about what had caused Moisan to lose a significant amount of weight.
Moisan says odds of surviving pancreatic cancer aren’t very good, but they are getting better because researchers are discovering symptoms.
Moisan says pancreatic cancer kills about 160 South Dakotans each year.
The 5th annual Light the Capitol Purple for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness starts at 3 p.m. CDT Sunday (Oct. 27) in the Capitol Rotunda in Pierre. Dr. Joshua Reineke, a pancreatic cancer researcher at South Dakota State University, will be the guest speaker and Dr. Tom Huber, a physician at Sanford in Pierre, will be the master of ceremonies. Limited seating is available in the Rotunda for the event.