Greenwood Elementary School was awash in purple Friday, as students and staff participated in Purple for a Purpose, the purpose being to raise awareness and funds through donations for World Pancreatic Cancer Day. The school was able to raise just under $200, which went to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Rhode Island affiliate.

The idea came from Nicole Lautieri, a member of the Greenwood PTA whose daughter is in second grade at the school and whose father, David L. Patenaude, passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 64 in November of 2012.

“I am very passionate about this cause,” said Lautieri, who is also a member of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Rhode Island affiliate. “My father passed away only five short weeks after being diagnosed. That’s how devastating this disease is.”

Lautieri said the disease is hard to detect and diagnose, so the survival rate is not good, as about 25 percent survive the first year and only 5 percent survive for five years.

“Smoking and obesity can be risk factors, but there aren’t a lot of warning signs,” she said. “Depression can be a sign and lower back pain, which is how my dad found out, but by the time they catch it, it’s usually at stage 4.”

In addition to holding educational events, such as webinars and fairs, Lautieri said the action network provides support to patients, connects them with doctors, and hosts various causes, such as the Purple Stride Walk or lighting up the State House purple for November, to increase support and she wanted to do something similar with the school.

“There are so many lesser known cancers. We’re trying to spread awareness to raise more money,” she said. “There is so much pink in October for breast cancer, let’s try to make Warwick a little more purple in November.”

PTA President Jaime Kilday said the event could teach an important lesson.

“It’s great that the kids are hearing about important causes like this. As adults, educators and parents, it’s our responsibility to ensure students understand the importance of giving to others,” she said. “We’re thankful for what we have at this time of year and the kids love dressing up, but if we can incorporate that with learning about giving back, it can be a life lesson.”

In addition to Nov. 13 being World Pancreatic Cancer Day, it was also Lautieri’s birthday. She said doing the Purple for a Purpose event made her birthday more positive this year, with the past two years being harder on her following the loss of her father.

Although Greenwood has participated in similar events and causes in prior years, this is the first time the school has raised awareness and money for pancreatic cancer. This is also the first year the school will do a different charitable donation each month of the school year.

“We will choose a different cause each month to focus on going forward,” Lautieri said. “It’s a fun day with a meaning.”

Kilday added, “We get caught up in life, so to stop and remember the importance of things like this is good for everyone.”

Principal Kenneth Rassler said he fully supports Purple for a Purpose.

“We’ve always done pink for breast cancer and we had a successful drive for it last month,” he said. “This is one more way to teach the kids there are other ways of helping out and there are others out there to help out.”

Rassler said he has a great PTA at the school and he will support them in any way he can. Although there won’t be any special activity for reaching a set goal this year, with it being the first for pancreatic cancer, Rassler said he’s participated in a number of challenges over the years.

“I’ve kissed a pig, dressed as a woman for a day, had a pie in the face, and even did a dunk tank,” he said. “The kids roar and laugh.”

Lautieri added, “We’re appreciative for any donations that come in.”