Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

My wonderful, wise, and seemingly always-healthy Uncle Orian Moore, Jr. passed away due to Pancreatic Cancer in 2006. Prior to that illness, in my mind, Uncle Orian would live many more years, and we would have many more days together. That didn't happen. A diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer is essentially a death sentence, and it is a slow, sad process for the victims, . . . and a tearful, agonizing event for the family and friends of the victims. Pancreatic Cancer appears without warning, and it has no cure.
This book is dedicated to my Uncle Orian, and it is dedicated to all the victims of Pancreatic Cancer, and to all who have witnessed or been involved with the passing away of someone stricken with Pancreatic Cancer. And this book is dedicated to the staff and volunteers of the Pancreatic Action Network ("PanCAN"), who tirelessly and passionately seek funding for research to cure the disease, and who try to comfort those who are victims. Purchasing this book is a show of support for PanCAN. We need PanCAN to succeed. —Phil Rainwater

Pancreatic cancer recently surpassed breast cancer as the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It is projected to become the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2020.

Because there are currently no early detection tools or curative treatments, just 9% of those diagnosed will survive more than 5 years. It is the only major cancer with a 5-year relative survival rate in the single digits, a survival rate that has not changed in 4 decades! In 2018, an estimated 55,400 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and 44,300 will die from the disease!

Maybe you know someone who has been diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. If so, then you know firsthand the devasting outcome of this diagnosis.

But there is hope. And there is effort. And there is a team organized to confront Pancreatic Cancer. It is called The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). PanCAN is a national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach, and advocacy for a cure. PanCAN’s mission is to double the survival rate by 2020.

PanCAN’s signature fundraiser is Purple Stride. Every year in communities across the country, thousands of people participate in Purple Stride. These events range in size from brief walks to timed-runs, but they all share one goal: to end pancreatic cancer and honor those who are in their battle, those that have lost their battle, and more importantly, give hope to those that that will face the battle. It is a journey toward hope that is filled with inspiration.

Founded in 1999, the PanCAN is dedicated to fighting the world’s toughest cancer. In its urgent mission to save lives, PanCAN attacks pancreatic cancer on all fronts: research, clinical initiatives, patient services and advocacy.

PanCAN intends to rewrite the story of pancreatic cancer. People in America are living longer than ever, . . . unless they are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Of 100 people diagnosed with the disease today, only nine will be alive in five years.
For those who receive a life-changing, life-shattering diagnosis, survival is most often measured in months — sometimes even weeks or days

PanCAN doesn’t simply imagine daring solutions. It invests in them and relentlessly works to realize them.

PanCAN is the only organization with a comprehensive approach focused on attacking pancreatic cancer on all fronts: research and clinical initiatives, patient services, advocacy and community outreach.

To learn more about PanCAN, go to www.pancan.org