Be a Hero in the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer: Know it. Fight it. End it. November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is calling attention to the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States during National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November.

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This year, over 43,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and nearly 37,000 will die from the disease. Pancreatic cancer is the only one of the top ten cancer killers with a five-year survival rate still in the single digits—and the survival rate hasn't significantly changed in nearly 40 years. This dismal survival rate is due in large part to the lack of scientific progress and the limited federal funding for the disease. Currently, only 2 percent of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) annual research budget is dedicated to pancreatic cancer. As a result, there are no early detection methods and few effective treatment options for patients faced with this disease.

"We must work together to change the statistics of pancreatic cancer and save lives, and it starts with increasing the visibility of this devastating disease," stated Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "Heightened visibility will lead to increased federal and private funding for pancreatic cancer research and ultimately provide the tools needed to make scientific advances into early detection methods and effective treatment options to extend survival of patients."

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network encourages people to support National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month by visiting www.knowitfightitendit.org to learn how they can take action and be a hero in the fight against pancreatic cancer, such as contacting their elected officials to encourage them to co-sponsor the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act.

In addition to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network campaign, three prestigious organizations are supporting the organization's efforts and National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in 2010: the National Hockey League, Tempur-Pedic® and Z Gallerie.

• The National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players Association recently named the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network as one of its charitable league partners. In addition to making a generous donation to our organization to support pancreatic cancer research through their philanthropic arm Hockey Fights Cancer, they are lending assistance in other ways. To learn more, go to www.hockeyfightscancer.com.
• In 2009, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network joined with Tempur-Pedic to launch the organization's first national, cause-related marketing effort, known as the Tempur-Pedic Hugs Back campaign. Working with their network of retailers nationwide, Tempur-Pedic raised more than $500,000 last year to support vital research into the disease. The company will launch the second year of this highly successful and exciting campaign on November 1. To learn more about this year's program, visit www.tempurpedichugsback.com.
• Z Gallerie is a unique lifestyle home furnishings retailer that has generously supported the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network since 2003 through numerous cause-related marketing promotions. To find out more about how the company will be supporting our awareness efforts this year, click here.

Supporters can also participate in awareness events around the country during November. To find an event and to learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network visit www.pancan.org.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization raises money for direct private funding of research—and advocates for more aggressive federal research funding of medical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network fills the void of information and options by giving patients and caregivers reliable, personalized information they need to make informed decisions. We create a sense of hope and community so no one has to face pancreatic cancer alone. The organization helps support individuals and communities all across the country to work together to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

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Julie Fleshman

http://www.profnetconnect.com/julie_fleshman

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network