BAKER — Community members are heading to Baker on Saturday morning for the annual 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, hosted by the Elvin Howard Sr. Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Foundation, to support cancer awareness and patient advocacy.

The foundation was established in honor of Elvin Howard Sr., who worked for 40 years as a production engineer at WBRZ. Following his pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2007, Howard fought the disease until his death. His family founded the advocacy organization to raise awareness about early symptoms, provide resources and aid, and support those facing the illness.

Organizers stress that recognizing symptoms early remains critical for patient outcomes.

"Lower back pain, stomach pain, jaundice, early diagnosis of diabetes—[these are] something to talk to your doctor about," said founding member Veronica Howard Sizer. "Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers out there. When we started this work, the five-year survival rate was at 8%. Here 10 years later, we can boast that our survival rate is now 13%—that's almost doubled in 10 years."

The 5k run and 1-mile walk will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at 3324 Groom Road in Baker. The 10th annual fundraiser banquet will be on Friday, Nov. 13 at Boudreaux's on Government Street in Baton Rouge for those unable to attend the Saturday run/walk.

If you know someone who makes a difference, send their name, contact information and a brief summary of their story to sylvia@wbrz.com.