Nearly 15 years ago, when my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it was the 4th leading cause of all cancer deaths in the US.  Today, pancreatic cancer is the 3rd leading cause of all cancer deaths, and it is the only major cancer for which the mortality rate has remained nearly unchanged in the past 50 years, with overall 5-year survival rates under 20%, actually stagnating at 13%, and only 8% for people diagnosed with the most common form, pancreatic adenocarcinoma. It is projected to surpass colorectal cancer as the second leading cause of all cancer deaths within the next 5 years. There are still zero early detection methods so the prognosis is nearly always very poor. As one of the 5 most lethal cancers, pancreatic cancer, unlike lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, is the only one that does not have a standard screening strategy.  For the 80% diagnosed at stage IV, the 5-yr survival rate continues to hover at 1%. Even for those who receive early detection, only 10% become cancer-free after treatment. Sadly, the incidence of this disease also continues to proliferate. 

Unfortunately, as is the case with virtually all federally-funded medical research under the Trump regime, that for pancreatic cancer has experienced serious interruptions, due to halted previously-allocated funding, mass firings at all associated federal agencies, and drastically reduced or eliminated future funding.  For instance, on March 15th, US Congress approved a stopgap funding bill, slashing the DoD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) by 57% and completely eliminating funding to Pancreatic Cancer Research Program (PCARP), the only federal initiative exclusively dedicated to pancreatic cancer.  While the fight to restore federal funding will continue and hopefully prevail, the imperative for private funding has never been more critical to preserve the progress we’ve made, and continue the much-needed improvements to care and detection methods.

For these reasons, I support Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, which funds crucial research, as well as provides important patient care services, national and local advocacy, and political campaigning.  THIS SATURDAY, April 26th, is their biggest annual fundraiser, PurpleStride, with events occurring in all 50 states across the country. If you'd like to join me in supporting this cause and honoring the memory of my mother, you can join my team, Marching for Margaret, by registering at the event at 8am at CCBC in Catonsville on Saturday to participate in the walk (starts at 9am), or you can register or make a donation online here, through our team page. The donation portal should remain open until Monday, June 30th. Posting on social media also helps raise awareness and fundraising.  I know how tight money is for most these days, with wild inflation and a precarious economy, so any amount or support given is appreciated more than ever.

Thank you to everyone who has shown their support for this crucial cause this year and in previous years. It means the world to me and many, many others.  I am profoundly grateful for your care and generosity in this continuous battle and remembrance of my mom, Margaret.

      - Kathleen