Hope will be illuminated by purple light on Sunday, Oct. 27.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Inland Northwest affiliate is presenting the PurpleLight National Vigil of Hope at 7 p.m. at the gazebo in Riverstone Park. The vigil will honor the memories of those who are currently fighting pancreatic cancer and those who have lost the battle.

"Raising awareness and being able to create hope means a lot to me," said Kathy Hlebichuk, media representative of the Inland Northwest affiliate. Hlebichuk lost her sister to pancreatic cancer 13 years ago.

"I've been there, I know what they're going through," she said.

The PurpleLight vigil will be taking place across the country. More than 13,000 people are expected to take part in promoting hope and awareness at the 80 participating locations.

Purple is the color that represents pancreatic cancer awareness. During the vigil, family members and friends will illuminate purple glowsticks as they hear their loved ones' names read aloud. It is meant to be a time to honor, remember and heal.

Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all the major cancers. Hlebichuk said about 73 percent of those who have the disease die within a year.

"Once you hear that diagnosis, it's a death sentence," she said.

The pancreas is both an exocrine and endocrine gland located in the abdomen. It produces enzymes that aid digestion as well as the hormones insulin and glucagon, which maintain blood sugar levels.

Information on www.pancan.org lists pancreatic cancer as the fourth leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the U.S. It is one of the deadliest, with no early detection methods and limited treatment options.

"The number of new pancreatic cancer cases in the United States has been projected to increase by 55 percent between 2010 and 2030," the website states.

The PurpleLight National Vigil of Hope will commence National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month in November. It is a free event to raise awareness, but Hlebichuk said donations are always accepted. The volunteers of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Inland Northwest affiliate raise all their own funds for research through donations and fundraising events, like the PurpleStride walk or PurpleRide bike ride.

But mainly, it's "to create hope," Hlebichuk said, "and know that there is hope."

Visit www.purplelight.org to register or light a virtual candle or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JointheFight.