Thursday, November 17 has been designated as “World Pancreatic Cancer Day,” all over the world which calls attention to the urgent need for research funding for early detection tools and effective treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients.
Annette Fetty-Santilli, Community Advocate for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, says, “We would like to have as many people participate in World Pancreatic Cancer Day as possible. She lost her brother to pancreatic cancer when he was only 38 years old, after being diagnosed just 18 months earlier.
She says, “To participate in World Pancreatic Cancer Day, all a person needs to do is wear purple! Post your pictures up on social media with the #WageHope and/or #InItTogether. Persons can also post pictures of the Facebook page: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – West Virginia. If you don’t have access to social media, email pictures to me at asantilli@pancanvolunteer.org or even text them to me at 304-621-3648.”
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has a longstanding history of working to address this disease in a comprehensive way and set an aggressive goal to double survival by 2020. There also needs to be an increase in funding for pancreatic cancer research and more patients must enroll in clinical trials. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is actively pursuing these goals on a federal level by advocating for increased resources for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute.
This year, pancreatic cancer surpassed breast cancer to become the third-leading cause of cancer related death in the United States. It currently has a five-year survival rate of just 8 percent and is anticipated to become the second around the year 2020.
“We cannot have success in diseases like pancreatic cancer without an increase in funding support from the National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health,” added Ms. Fetty-Santilli. “While we advocate for increased funding for cancer research every day, it is particularly important to shine a light on this issue on World Pancreatic Cancer Day on November 17.”
To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and local efforts, please visit the local Facebook page: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – West Virginia and contact Ms. Fetty-Santilli at 304-621-3648 or asantilli@pancanvolunteer.org .
