A fellow retailer is raising money to support Pancreatic Cancer research during National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Her fundraising page is a part of PanCAN’s (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network) drive to bring the facts to the public as well as raise money to support much needed research that is not being done at this time. A few facts about this disease:
- Pancreatic Cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.
- Approximately 33, 730 people will be diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer this year in the U.S. and about 32,000 will die from it
- The 99% mortality rate for pancreatic cancer is the highest of any cancer. Only 4% of patients will survive beyond 5 years.
- The average life expectancy after diagnosis with metastatic disease is just 3-6 months.
- Despite the especially lethal nature of pancreatic cancer, the research spending per pancreatic cancer patient is the lowest of any leading cancer.
You can get more information on this disease through PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network) and donate to support research efforts through the fundraising page for “Paws Up” for Pancreatic Cancer. Juliet, who set up this page, also had a wonderful idea on how we can get our pets involved in bringing awareness to Pancreatic Cancer. Since purple is the color of PanCAN she suggests we dress our dogs in purple during November. Hopefully someone will make a comment on the cute outfits and learn more about Pancreatic Cancer in the process.
My family has been directly affected by Pancreatic Cancer when my father-in-law was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer with metasis to the liver in June 2006. We never knew anyone who had cancer before and this was a big eye-opener for the whole family. It is a dreadful disease that receives so little attention until it hits close to home, which is why National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is so important. This disease does not discriminate by age, race, class or gender, but it’s effects are just the same for everyone. 
April 12th, 2007 at 1:25 am
Hello,
I just want to say thankyou so much for being so supportive of Pancreatic Cancer.
My father was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer June 2006. The doctors told him he had 6 months to a year. Today, Almost a year later, he is a very sick man who is losing his muscle mass now and is very weak. He has been through a lot, and went through tremendous pain. He has been fighting this and is becoming tired of fighting.
Thankyou for all your support. My fathers name is Frank T Warner. He lives in Michigan.
April 12th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Tracey,
I am sorry that your family is going through this right now. My thoughts are with you. We actually lost my father-in-law a couple weeks ago. The time my husband spent with his father in person and speaking over the phone were extra important since his diagnosis. Please take care of yourself and your family and cherish this time you have with your dad. Feel free to contact me if you just want to talk, blog at barkslope dot com.
Kim
October 20th, 2007 at 12:42 am
I really, really appreciate what your wrote.
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:43 am
I just wanted to let you know how appreciated it is that you have posted the websites to go to on your website with statistics. My aunt, Janet Gardner, was just diagnosed Oct 18, 2007 with pancreatic cancer. We will find out how long she has this week. Ive been driving myself mad tonight to find how to help. Be an activist, find her help from somewhere. What I can do, and HOW I can help. Thank you for the links. I just got a puppy. A beautiful little maltese. Caydin. I plan to dress him, as long as he will allow it, in purple all month. Maybe even for years to come.
Thank you,
Crystal
Greensboro, NC
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:00 am
Crystal,
I am sorry to hear about your aunt. Just wanted to let you know that on Oprah today there is a man who has pancreatic cancer and it’s discussed in more detail than I’ve seen on t.v. before. Also, check out the Johns Hopkins family discussion board, we used it alot while my Father In Law was sick: http://pathology.jhu.edu/n.web?EP=N&FL=PANCREAS_CHAT
Please check out those message boards, the people on there are so helpful. Pancreatic cancer is misunderstood by many doctors, the message boards will help your aunt find the best specialists (pancreatic cancer specialists, not just cancer specialists) where she lives if she has not been set up with them already.
Take care!
Kim