On June 14, 2011, I participated in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Advocacy Day in Washington, DC. This was my second year as an advocate. Our message to members of Congress, co-sponsor the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act (S. 362/H.R. 733) and ensure that NCI has sufficient funding in the FY2012 budget.
In May 2006, my Mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She was 80 years old when she was diagnosed; she was 80 years old when she died. This unfortunately, wasn’t my only exposure to this horrible disease. My youngest Brother was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in February 2009 on the second anniversary of our Mother’s death. He was 48 years old when he was diagnosed; he was 48 years old when he died. Their deaths were devastating.
The statistics are sobering. There is a 75% chance you will not survive a year, as was the case for my family members. The five year survival rate is only 6%! This statistic basically hasn’t changed since the enactment of the National Cancer Act (1971). With predictions of a 55% increase in the number of new cases of pancreatic cancer by 2030, we can’t afford to wait. We have to speak for those voices silenced by pancreatic cancer. Visit www.pancan.org to find out more information. We can’t wait another 40 years.
