AGS Middle School and Fenton High School, Fenton, Michigan held a joint “Purple Out” for National Pancreatic Awareness Month, in memory of William “Bill” Jackson, father, of the Washington Redskins, DeSean Jackson.

 Bill Jackson died from Pancreatic Cancer, in 2009, five months after being diagnosed; and, to advocate for the National Football League to give equal consideration to Pancreatic Cancer Awareness by proclaiming the month of November as a “Purple Out” to raise crucial funds for awareness, screening, direct client and caregiver services and research.

2014 Purple Out – AGS Middle School, Fenton, Michigan, Faculty & Staff

The research presented to National Football League by the AGS Middle School advocates thus far is as follows:

–George Halas, owner of the Chicago Bears, was afflicted with Pancreatic Cancer and died in 1983

NFL Agents:  Gary Wichard died in 2011; Ken Staninger died in 2013:

NFL Players:  Walt Sweeney, San Diego Chargers died in 2013; Randy Jackson, who played for Buffalo, 49ers and Eagles died in 2010; TJ Turner played for Patriots, died in 2014; Johnny Bailey played for Bears, Cardinals and Rams died 2010; Gene Upshaw played for Raiders and was union president, died 2008; John Gordy played for Detroit, died 2009; Dave Pureifory, played for Packers, Bengals and Lions, died in 2009

NFL Personnel:  Ricky Sandoval, head of security for Lions died in 2009

AGS Middle School – Raising Pancreatic Cancer for DeSean Jackson. Swagged Out in Purple With a Purpose.

According to the American Cancer Society, Pancreatic Cancer is the number “4” cancer killer in the U.S, and the only one that does not have a known cure. The lack of early detection methods and research continues to slow progress towards a cure.  There is no known cure for this deadly disease and over 42,400 people – 116 + per day are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year.

2014 AGS Middle School – Purple Out – Student Advocates

In the last 5 years more than 210,000 people have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and over 92% of those individuals have passed away during the first year of their diagnosis. While only 5% of those living past the first year live to the fifth year and 3% of those will succumb to the disease sometime beyond that point.

2014 AGS Middle School Purple Out – Purple With a Purple – In Memory of William ‘Bill’ Jackson, DeSean’s Father.

Pancreatic Cancer is one of the few cancers for which survival has not improved substantially over the last 25 years. Those that make it past the first year have been known to live significantly longer today than those diagnosed before 2006.

2014 AGS Middle School – Purple Out – 100% Participation – “Purple With A Purpose” helping DeSean Jackson’s campaign to , “Speed Up the Cure“! for Pancreatic Cancer.

DeSean Jackson lovingly refers to the students at AGS Middle School and Fenton High as his “Swagg Team” and is extremely honored that he was chosen to be their Ambassador for the annual Purple Out Campaigns.

2014 AGS Middle School – Purple Out – Students Advocate for Pancreatic Awareness

2014 AGS Middle School – Purple Out – Supporting DeSean Jackson

2014 AGS Middle School – Purple Out – Supports DeSean Jackson and The DeSean Jackson Foundation

AGS Middle School – Purple Out Advisers – Teachers Mrs. Jill Smigielski and Mrs. Grove

For more information about The DeSean Jackson Foundation, Contact:  DeSean and Gayle Jackson, deseanjacksonfoundationceo@yahoo.com; or visit: http://www.deseanjacksonfoundation.org.

AGS Middle School – Inaugural Student Advocates