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Survivor's Freaky Dive Saved Her Life, Fuels Cancer Race
27 Sep
Summary
- A 5K race aims to raise $55,000 to support pancreatic cancer patients.
- A survivor's life was saved by a volleyball dive that discovered her tumor.
- Funds raised will assist patients with housing, bills, and mental health support.
Dartmouth's Sullivan's Pond will host the Kicking PancreAS 2026 five-kilometre race on Saturday. This event aims to raise $55,000, exceeding last year's total of over $46,000 from 451 participants. The race champions support for pancreatic cancer patients and their families.
Leah Burns, a survivor, shared her unique journey. Diagnosed at 17, her cancer was discovered after a volleyball dive shifted a tumor. This unexpected event, she stated, ultimately saved her life, as the tumor's location and type would likely have gone undetected otherwise.
Proceeds from the Kicking PancreAS 2026 will directly benefit patients by covering costs such as housing, travel for treatment, and additional medical bills. Crucially, the funds will also provide vital mental health support during the challenging process of battling cancer.
