Thousands of Long Islanders hit the beach Sunday in the battle against pancreatic cancer.

The Lustgarten Foundation's annual Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk took place this morning at Jones Beach. About 8,000 people turned out for the 14th annual walk, including pancreatic cancers survivors and people who have been affected by the disease.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer, with a survival rate of just 6 percent.

This year, $1 million was raised before the walk even began.

Organizers say 100 percent of donations go directly to research because Cablevision underwrites all of the Lustgarten Foundation's administrative costs. Cablevision is the parent company of News 12 Long Island.