outreach june 2010

7/31/2019 Outreach June 2010

1/16

June 2010 OUTREACH 1

OUTREACHVOl X issUE ii jUnE 2010

Zeshaan Rasheed, MD, PhD,receives the inaugural

Pathway to Leadership Grant(See page 1.)

Participate in our NationalCall-In on June 22.(See page 5.)


2/16

Dear Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Friends:

We recently reached another important milestone in

our quest to advance pancreatic cancer research. The

Senate version o the Pancreatic Cancer Research

& Education Act was introduced by Senator Sheldon

Whitehouse (D-RI) on May 6, 2010. As you may recall,

the House companion bill, H.R. 745, was introduced in

January o 2009.

Now that the Senate bill has been introduced, its time or all o us to lend support.

We need your help. Those attending our ourth annual Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy

Day will raise awareness with their Members o Congress in ace-to-ace meetings

and ask them to co-sponsor the bill. Others can support these eorts through theNational Call-In and our Take Home Challenge. (Turn to page 5 to learn more about

how to participate in these activities.)

We are also very excited to announce our 2010 research grant recipients in this

edition and welcome them to our amily. This years Research Grants Program

provides $2.3 million in grants to nine deserving scientists. (To learn more, turn to

page 1.)

These important research grants are part o a larger comprehensive research

strategy. Our goal is to support the development o a vibrant pancreatic cancer

research community by 1) recruiting, developing and retaining the most adept

investigators to study the disease and 2) providing resources and tools and

ostering the collaborations necessary to make scientic progress.

A comprehensive and cohesive research portolio produces more robust scientic

knowledge, creates greater collaboration among investigators and speeds the

implementation o progress or pancreatic cancer patients. I hope you enjoy

reading about this years grantee research projects.

As always, your continued support is very much appreciated!

Jason Kuhn

Board Chair

P.S. On behal o the board, I congratulate President and CEO Julie Fleshman on

being honored with the American Association or Cancer Researchs Award or

Distinguished Public Service on April 18 in Washington, D.C. Kudos to you, Julie!

BOARd O diRECTORsJason Kuhn, Chair, Tampa, Fla.

Stephanie R. Davis, JD, MA, Secretary,

Sherman Oaks, Cali.

Tim Ennis, Boca Raton, Fla.

Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, President & CEO

Los Angeles

Stevan Holmberg, MBA, DBA, Potomac, M

Peter Kovler, Washington, D.C.

Laurie MacCaskill, Los Angeles

Jai Pausch, Hampton Roads, Va.

Stuart Rickerson, Rancho Santa Fe, Cali.

Cynthia Stroum, Founding Chair Emeritus,

Seattle

sCiEnTiiC AdVisORy BOARdDavid Tuveson, MD, PhD, Chair,

Cambridge Research Institute/CRUK

Dana Bar-Sagi, PhD, New York University

Teri Brentnall, MD, University o WashingtoMichael Hollingsworth, PhD,

University o Nebraska Medical Center

Ralph Hruban, MD, Johns Hopkins Univers

Elizabeth Jaee, MD, Johns Hopkins Unive

Craig Logsdon, PhD,

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Margaret Mandelson, PhD,

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Cent

Gloria Petersen, PhD, Mayo Clinic

Margaret Tempero, MD,

University o Caliornia, San Francisco

Selwyn Vickers, MD, University o Minneso

Georey Wahl, PhD, Salk Institute

MEdiCAl AdVisORy COUnCilMark Talamonti, MD, Chair,

NorthShore University HealthSystem

Jordan Berlin, MD,

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Marcia Canto, MD, Johns Hopkins Univers

Christopher Crane, MD,


Jason Fleming, MD,


Julie Meddles, RD, LD,

Ohio State University Medical Center

Mary Mulcahy, MD,

Northwestern University

Maria Petzel, RD, CSO, LD, CNSD,


Vincent Picozzi, MD,

Virginia Mason Medical Center

Mark Pochapin, MD, Jay Monahan Center

Gastrointestinal Health

CHAiRs MEssAgEnEw sEnATE Bill inTROdUCEd

OUR MissiOnThe Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a nationwide network o people dedicated to working together

to advance research, support patients and create hope or those aected by pancreatic cancer.Cover image: Larry Canner


3/16


The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has awarded nine

research grants, totaling nearly $2.3 million, to und prom-

ising research this year. The 2010 investment in research

represents an almost 90 percent increase in unding com-

pared to 2009.

The organizations grants program supports the devel-

opment o a comprehensive pancreatic cancer research

community, investing in the ull range o knowledge neces-

sary to produce scientic breakthroughs. This year, new and

expanded unding opportunities were presented to meet the

scientic needs and emerging developments in the pancre-

atic cancer community. Four grant mechanisms were oered,

including a new Pathway to Leadership Grant, created to de-velop uture leaders in the eld.

The research grants are administered in partnership with

the American Association or Cancer Research (AACR), which

assembled panels o top experts in the eld o pancreatic

cancer to review the 181 applications that were submitted.

The most meritorious research was selected or unding using

a careully dened evaluation and review process.

Since launching the grants program in 2003, the

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has awarded 56 research

grants, totaling more than $7.2 million, to scientists across

the country. In addition to providing nancial support or re-

search projects, the organization acilitates the ormation o

a community o researchers dedicated to making progress in

the ght against the disease.

A mentorship program connects grant recipients with

leading scientists in this area o research. Ongoing educa-

tion, collaboration and career development opportunities

are oered. As a result, this community o researchers stayscommitted and involved.

Following are brie proles o our 2010 research grant

recipients. Visit www.pancan.org/section_research to

learn more about these investigators and their research

projects.

2010 REsEARCH gRAnTs PROVidE nEARly$2.3 MilliOn in CRiTiCAl Unding

PATHwAy TO lEAdERsHiP gRAnT This ve-year grant totals $600,000 and is awarded to a highlypromising postdoctoral or clinical research ellow to support the mentored research phase, career enrichment activities,and the successul transition to research independence and leadership.

Zehaa Rahee, Md, Phd, joh Hopk UvertTempur-Pec Retaer Pacreatc Cacer Acto netork AACR Patha to leaerhp grat

Are Cacer stem Cell Relevat Pacreatc Aeocarcoma?

Not all cells in a tumor are the same. Within the varying tumor cell population, certain cells, designated

cancer stem cells (CSC), seem to demonstrate a greater ability to sustain tumor growth and acilitate

spread elsewhere in the body. Dr. Rasheeds pivotal studies aim to identiy and analyze the CSC popula-

tion within pancreatic tumors. Specically, Dr. Rasheeds goal is to better understand the origin o the CSC,

and to determine whether regular non-CSC cancer cells have the ability to become CSCs in response to particular external

stimuli. This project will lay the groundwork or uture investigations targeting these highly aggressive cells within a pancreatic

tumor cell population.

Pancreatic cancer is one o the most aggressive orms o cancer, yet it is still under-unded and lacks

the same extent o public awareness that other orms o cancer have. This is something that we at

Tempur-Pedic hope to help change.

Rick Anderson, President, Tempur-Pedic, North America, Inc.


4/16

2 June 2010 OUTREACH

EllOwsHiP AwARd This one-year grant totals $45,000 and is awarded to a highly promising postdoctoral orclinical research ellow to support the mentored research phase.

Vkram Bhattacharee, Phd, ox Chae Cacer Cetersamue stroum Pacreatc Cacer Acto netork AACR eohp Aar

Caate gee Valato o setzer o Pacreatc Cacer to gemctabe

Gemcitabine remains a standard chemotherapy option or pancreatic cancer patients, despite its limited

clinical responses. Dr. Bhattacharjees goal is to identiy drugs that could be administered in combina-

tion with gemcitabine to increase the drugs eectiveness. Gemcitabine inhibits DNA replication, but Dr.

Bhattacharjee observed that gemcitabine also causes cells to pause in their cell cycle, allowing time or

DNA replication to recover. Thereore, he proposes combining gemcitabine with a drug to bypass the cell cycle arrest, orcing

the cells to start growing beore their DNA is duplicated, leading to cell death. Dr. Bhattacharjee is analyzing this and other

mechanisms to increase pancreatic cancer cells sensitization to gemcitabine.

Each year I am honored to pay tribute to my ather by unding the annual Fellowship Award in his

name. It brings me comort to know how meaningul this award would have been to him, as it is to each

new young investigator who receives it. Through this grant, my athers entrepreneurial spirit lives on

and continues to create hope.

Cynthia Stroum, Founding Chair Emeritus, Board o Directors, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

CAREER dEVElOPMEnT AwARd This two-year grant totals $200,000 and is awarded to newly establishedinvestigators to develop or strengthen their research programs in pancreatic cancer.

joatha Bro, Phd, Thoma jeero Uvertskp Vrah Pacreatc Cacer Acto netork AACR Career deveopmet Aar

HuR a Prectve a Prootc Marker Pacreatc Cacer

The standard o care or pancreatic cancer patients is still the chemotherapeutic agent gemcitabine, de-

spite its modest success rate. Dr. Brodys studies have determined that a protein called HuR could serve

as a predictor o patients responsiveness to gemcitabine. In the absence o treatment, HuR stabilizes

cancer cells in an otherwise unstable environment, providing a growth advantage. However, Dr. Brodys

research suggests that patients expressing HuR respond better to gemcitabine treatment, whereas the proteins absence pre-

dicts drug ailure. Ultimately, he is hoping to create a way to stratiy patients into gemcitabine responders or non-responders,

and thus personalize the pancreatic cancer treatment administered.

We are extremely grateul to the Viragh amily or their ongoing investment in promising pancreatic

cancer research in memory o Skip Viragh.

Julie Fleshman, President and CEO, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network


5/16


Aec Kmmema, Md, Phd, daa-arber Cacer ittutePacreatc Cacer Acto netork AACR Career deveopmet Aar

dnA Repar a the dnA damae Repoe Pacreatc Cacer

Despite an improved understanding o the molecular characteristics o pancreatic cancer cells, research-

ers have struggled to comprehend the ailure o chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted drugs toeectively treat the disease. Dr. Kimmelman shed light on this mystery by identiying pancreatic cancer

cells dependence on DNA-repair proteins. Cells are equipped with mechanisms to x damage to their

DNA, which can occur randomly, by external agents such as chemotherapy, or by the overall genomic instability caused by

cancer. Dr. Kimmelmans preliminary data suggest that pancreatic cancer cells may be addicted to the activity o their DNA

repair machinery. Thereore, he proposes to urther investigate the role o DNA repair machinery in pancreatic cancer, and

determine whether this mechanism could serve as a therapeutic target.

Mchae Vasau, Phd, Vaerbt UvertPacreatc Cacer Acto netork AACR Career deveopmet Aar

iuece o Apoke o Pacreatc Cacer Proreo

Research has shown a link between obesity, infammation o the pancreas and pancreatitis, and an

increased rate o pancreatic cancer. Dr. VanSaun previously identied a category o proteins, called adi-

pokines, that are derived by adipose (at) tissue, and can act upon the tumor cells, potentially infuencing

their growth. Consistent with this possibility, Dr. VanSaun discovered the expression o the appropriate

receptors or these adipokines on the cancer cell surace. The purpose o this project is to determine the role o adipokines,

and obesity in general, in pancreatic cancer development and progression, utilizing a mouse model.

innOVATiVE gRAnT This two-year grant totals $200,000 and is awarded to junior and senior scientists todevelop new and innovative ideas and approaches in pancreatic cancer research.

rak McCormck, Phd, Uvert o Caora, sa raccoPacreatc Cacer Acto netork AACR iovatve grat

specfc K-Ra ihbtor or Treat Pacreatc Cacer

The K-Ras protein mutates to an active orm in the majority o pancreatic cancer cases. Although this

protein is an attractive potential therapeutic target, no drugs have been ound to eectively target it. Dr.

McCormick seeks to develop a new strategy to inhibit the activity o K-Ras in pancreatic cancer. Previ-

ous attempts at K-Ras inhibition have ocused on indirectly blocking the mechanism by which K-Ras gets

attached to the cell membrane, where it is active. However, the compounds proposed by Dr. McCormick will bind directly toK-Ras and physically impede its attachment to the cell membrane, thus creating a promising new therapeutic strategy.


6/16


dae smeoe, Md, Uvert o MchaThe Ra Pauch am Pacreatc Cacer Acto netork AACR iovatve grat

Taret notch sal Pacreatc Cacer stem Cell

Dr. Simeone is planning a clinical trial that specically targets cancer stem cells (CSC) within a pancreatic

tumor. Her group has identied protein markers to dierentiate these cells, which are highly aggressiveand resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. Dr. Simeones studies show that CSCs depend on the activity

o the molecule Notch, and are susceptible to its inhibition. Thereore, the proposed clinical trial will treat

patients ater surgery with the standard chemotherapy drug gemcitabine in combination with another drug that targets Notch.

This novel approach aims to improve patient survival by targeting the especially dangerous and resilient CSC population.

gora su, Phd, Coumba UvertPacreatc Cacer Acto netork AACR iovatve grat

notch decoy Taret the notch sal Pathay Pacreatc Cacer

(ue part b a eerou t rom a aomou am ouato)Notch is a protein known to play a vital role in the development o numerous tissues within the body, in-

cluding the pancreas, and then is normally turned o in adulthood. Pancreatic cancer cells abnormally

reactivate Notch signaling, leading to cell dierentiation and prolieration. The ocus o Dr. Sus study is to

evaluate a novel method o blocking Notch, which will either delete the Notch gene itsel or utilize a Notch decoy that will ex-

clusively impede the Notch signaling pathway. This approach compares to previously described inhibitors that block an entire

amily o similarly signaling molecules. Dr. Sus strategy may create a promising new treatment.

Am Ta, Phd, Eater Vra Meca schooPacreatc Cacer Acto netork AACR iovatve grat

siAH a novel a Eectve At-K-Ra dru Taret Pacreatc Cacer

Many researchers have strived to block the oten-activated Ras signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer,

with little success. Ras stimulates a cascade o events in the cell, culminating in the activation o a protein

called SIAH. The unction o SIAH is to induce breakdown o specic proteins, leading to increased cell

growth and movement, the hallmarks o cancer. Dr. Tang will determine whether SIAH can serve as a bio-

marker o pancreatic cancer, or a protein indicator o the presence o a pancreatic tumor. Furthermore, she hypothesizes that

blocking SIAH activity will turn o the Ras signaling pathway, providing a novel therapeutic target or the disease.

COngRATUlATiOns TO PAnCREATiC CAnCER ACTiOn nETwORPREsidEnT And CEO jUliE lEsHMAn, jd, MBARecpet o a Amerca Aocato or Cacer Reearch (AACR)2010 Aar or dtuhe Pubc servce recoto o heroo commtmet a ecato to the fht aat cacer.

Let: Former AACR President Tyler Jacks, PhD, and AACR CEO Margaret Foti, PhD,

MD (hc), (right) congratulate Julie Fleshman as she receives the AACRs award.

We just need to give smart people the tools that they need to solve the problem (o pancreatic

cancer).

Jai Pausch, Board o Directors Member, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network


7/16


Nearly 400 supporters rom across the country are expected

to attend our ourth annual Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day

on Tuesday, June 22 in Washington, D.C. With the recent in-

troduction o S. 3320, the rst substantive pancreatic cancer

legislation ever to be introduced in the United States Senate,

the time is right to participate. I you are among those who

are unable to join us this year in D.C., two opportunities are

available or you to make your voice heard: the National Call-

In and the Take Home Challenge.

The NaTIoNaL CaLL-IN

Our National Call-In, which is also set or June 22, represents

an opportunity or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network sup-

porters everywhere to phone their U.S. Representative and

two Senators and speak in a unied voice about what mat-

ters most to us. This year, we will ask Members o Congress

to support S. 3320, the Senate version o the Pancreatic Can-

cer Research & Education Act, as well as the House version,

known as H.R. 745. We will also ask or increased unding or

pancreatic cancer research at the National Cancer Institute.

(Currently, only two percent o the NCI budget is spent on

such research.)

Last year, 2,657 supporters participated in the National Call-

In. Our goal this year is to beat that number and get MANY

more people involved! Ask your riends and amily to help.

Its a meaningul way to support those attending Advocacy

Day and a simple and eective means o joining the ght or

those o you who want to participate rom home this year.

PaRTICIPaTING Is easy:

1. Set aside 10 minutes on June 22 between 9am-5pm EST

to make three calls. (Your one representative and two

senators need to hear rom you separately.)

2. Starting at 1am EST on June 22, you can go to

www.pancan.org/NationalCallin to see the names and

phone numbers o your senators and representative and

the script. Its similar to the one those participating in

Advocacy Day will use.

3. The website will guide you in making the three calls or

you can print out the inormation and call on your own.

Ater you fnish the calls, please let us know about the

conversations on the website. (This part is important!)

We need as many people as possible to stand up together

to tell Congress that were not willing or able to wait one day

longer or their support, said Detroit Aliate Advocacy Co-

ordinator Kandi Wood about the National Call-In. I hope that

everyone will join us in saying that this legislation and these

research dollars are needed urgently. Because they really

and truly are.

The Take hoMe ChaLLeNGe

Set or July 5 to 9, the Take Home Challenge is an innova-

tive hometown advocacy project where volunteers across the

country visit their local

congressional oces in

the weeks ater Advo-

cacy Day and drop o

handwritten stories and

purple spirit items.

This approach is a way

to bring the Advocacy

Day message home and

to remind members o Congress o our determination. They

will also realize that we will ollow up to ensure that they will

support the legislative priorities o the Pancreatic Cancer Ac-

tion Network.

The purple spirit items can have a big impact, according to

Michael Weinstein, a survivor and Advocacy Coordinator or

the New Jersey Aliate. Purple spirit items are simply leave-

behinds valued at less than ve dollars that grab attention.

When paired with a handwritten story like mine, this gesture

really makes them stop and take notice.

The Take Home Challenge is on the heels o Advocacy Day,

so when Members o Congress hear and see our voices, our

cause and our colors, they are reminded o our issues and

that we need their help. Theyll know we wont stop visiting

their oces, writing them, or calling in until weve enlisted

enough members o Congress to und the research that were

all waiting on, he added.

While the Take Home Challenge kit is available online(www.pancan.org/TakeHomeChallenge), many local aliates

also work together on this un project. Get in touch with a

volunteer aliate near you through the website to join orces.

For more inormation, call 202-742-6699 or email

[email protected].

wE nEEd yOU TO AdVOCATE THis MOnTH

Th ue oOutreach a ue part by a eerou oato rom the Bobbyea jerry sloa Ha--Ha ouato memory o Bobbye sloa.


8/16


Ater a diagnosis o pancreatic

cancer, a patient may won-

der why he or she developedthe disease or what caused

it. Experts estimate 90 per-

cent o pancreatic cancers

are caused by environmental

or other actors and only 10

percent have a hereditary or

amilial origin.

For the 10 percent o patients whose pancreatic cancer is

hereditary, the genetic mutation that led to the cancer was

passed down through genes rom one o their parents, rom

generation to generation. While researchers suspect severalspecic genes that may be involved in pancreatic cancer,

the main gene responsible or hereditary pancreatic cancer

remains unknown. I multiple rst-degree blood relatives

have developed pancreatic cancer, then the cancer may be

considered amilial or inherited. First-degree blood relatives

include parents, children and siblings.

A genetic counselor is a healthcare proessional who can

help amilies identiy and understand inherited diseases like

hereditary pancreatic cancer. Genetic counselors are trained

in the scientic, medical, and emotional aspects o inherited

disease. An oncology genetic counselor specializes in coun-seling and educating individuals with cancer and/or their

amily members who may be at increased risk o developing

cancer. Unlike most healthcare proessionals, or the genetic

counselor, the entire amily is the patient.

Who shouLD CoNsIDeR GeNeTIC CouNseLING

People with an increased risk o developing pancreatic

cancer due to a amily history o the disease may consider

consulting with a genetic counselor. You may want to think

about such counseling i at least one o the ollowing actors

describes either you or one or more o your amily members:

Multiple family members in the same or successive

generations who have been diagnosed with pancreatic

cancer; Pancreatic cancer in two or more generations on the

same side o the amily;

Earlyonsetofpancreaticcancer(youngerthan50years

o age); or

Adiagnosisofmorethanoneprimarycancerinthesame

person.

Beore meeting with a genetic counselor, it is important to gath-

er as much inormation as possible about your amilys medical

history. This process may involve contacting other relatives to

obtain accurate records or contacting local records oces to

obtain documentation o a amily members passing.

I there are other cancers in the amily, try to collect as much

inormation about the cancer as possible, such as the type

(pancreatic or other cancer) and age o onset. The genetic

counselor will need detailed inormation about your amily

medical history to understand the inheritance patterns.

He or she will then develop a pedigree, which is a map o a

amilys genetic patterns over several generations. Once the

pedigree is completed and veried, the genetic counselor will

help you determine i it is worthwhile to undergo genetic and/

or medical tests. These tests can range rom blood tests to

skin biopsies.

NexT sTePs

Ater records are collected and potential genetic tests are

completed, the genetic counselor may be able to determine

your relative risk or developing pancreatic cancer. The risk

that other relatives ace is estimated using the pedigree,

as well.

You will then most likely meet with your counselor again to

obtain and discuss your results and review options or medi-

cal and/or liestyle management and screening options or

gEnETiC COUnsEling And PAnCREATiC CAnCER

All syMPOsiA

or more ormato, vt .paca.or.

lo AeeOctober 29 | Hatt Cetur Ct

Hear the latest news about the disease rom pancreatic cancer specialists and network with othpancreatic cancer patients/survivors and amily members at our upcoming Pancreatic Cancer Symposi

wahto, d.C.Check our ebte or ate a locato.


9/16


your amily, i appropriate. Genetic counselors will advise

you about what options may be right or you and your amily,

but they will not make such decisions or you.

Several potential positive outcomes may result rom meeting

with a genetic counselor. First, these counselors can identiy

amilies at higher risk or pancreatic cancer and help those

amilies interpret inormation about the disease.

Second, they can educate individuals and amilies about pat-

terns o inheritance o pancreatic cancer. This guidance will

help individuals at higher risk o developing the disease make

inormed choices. Lastly, they are equipped to help amilies

cope with the inormation they obtain through genetic coun-

seling and testing.

CoMMoN CoNCeRNs

Some people may be apprehensive about seeking genetic

counseling. For example, many are concerned about the re-

sults o the counseling and/or testing aecting their access

to insurance or employment.

In May 2008, the Genetic Inormation Nondiscrimination

Act (GINA) was signed into ederal law. This law protects

Americans against genetic discrimination in regard to health

insurance and employment. As a result o this law, group

and individual health insurance companies may not revoke

your coverage or change contribution and premium amounts

i they nd testing indicates you may have a high risk o de-

veloping pancreatic cancer or another genetic disease.

Other people may be concerned about coping with the po-

tential psychological, medical and economic implications o

learning that they are at an increased risk o developing pan-

creatic cancer. Genetic counselors can help amilies cope

with the results o genetic testing and may reer some ami-

lies or individuals to psychologists who specialize in this type

o counseling.

Finally, many people wonder about the cost o genetic coun-

seling. Coverage and costs or genetic counseling vary. The

charge or a genetic counseling session may range rom ap-

proximately $125 to $500, depending upon the extent o the

visit. While each individual insurance plan is dierent, the

consultation may be covered by insurance. Fees may also

be charged or the genetic tests that may accompany the

consultation.

I it is ound that you may have a genetic mutation that places

you at a high risk or pancreatic cancer, you or other amily

members may consider enrolling in a research program.

abouT ReseaRCh PRoGRaMs

Genetic registries are databases that keep track o inor-

mation rom amilies aected by pancreatic cancer. The

inormation collected may include several items, rom blood

samples to questionnaires that assess liestyle choices. This

inormation is gathered in an eort to nd common charac-

teristics between patients.

Another type o research program actively ocuses on poten-tial early detection o pancreatic abnormalities or screening

or pancreatic cancer. Since there is no established early

detection method or pan-

creatic cancer, this is a very

important area o pancreatic

cancer research.

Having a genetic mutation

in one o the genes being

studied or its connection to

pancreatic cancer or having

a amily history o pancre-atic cancer does not mean

an individual will develop

the disease. I you think you

may have a amily history o

pancreatic cancer or have any other questions, please con-

tact a PALS Associate or more inormation.

PALS Associates can provide inormation on genetic coun-

seling, early detection and surveillance programs, and

genetic registries. Call PALS toll-ree at 877-272-6226,

M-F 7am-5pm Pacifc Time or email [email protected].

NeWs fRoM The JaPaNese affILIaTeMore than 100 people gathered at Matsuyama Coms in Matsuyama, Japan,

March 6, 2010, or the frst o fve Pancreatic Cancer Action Network sympos

that will be held in the country this year, according to Yoshiyuki Majima, Direc

and General Manager o the Japanese afliate. All o the symposia in Japan

2010 will be sponsored by Eli Lilly Japan. (The company also sponsored Japa

2009 symposia series.) In an additional outreach eort, a Japanese version o t

pancreatic cancer overview booklet was also recently printed and distributed

each o the afliates 280 members.


10/16


As a pancreatic cancer survivor o six-and-a-hal years, I am

ed up with hearing that this disease is a death sentence. I am a

survivor, and there are others, but there should be many more.

My adopted uncle Edward Tripplet, Pam Bardwill and so many

o my riends who I have lost since my diagnosis should still be

here. So should Patrick Swayze and Carnegie Melon Univer-

sity proessor and author Dr. Randy Pausch, who worked so

hard to educate the public about pancreatic cancer.

When I think about the situation, it angers and saddens

me that this disease, which is the nations ourth leading cause

o cancer death, only receives less than two percent o the

National Cancer Institutes annual budget or research.

Because this statistic is so appalling, in 2007, my wie

Jennier and I decided to ound Road 2 A Cure, a 501(c)(3)

nonprot organization dedicated to raising awareness and

unds or pancreatic cancer research. Road 2 A Cure launched

its national awareness campaign with a 50-state motorcycle

and documentary tour on Feb. 20, 2010, in Santa Barbara,

Cali.

Road 2 A Cure is about accelerating change, inspir-

ing hope, and changing lives. Its a major deal: a grueling

42,000-plus-mile trip across the U.S. We are well into the

tour now. As o April 29, 2010, we had visited 12 states and

received nearly $37,000 in donations.

So why more than 42,000 miles? I am riding one mile or

each person in the U.S. who will be diagnosed with pancreatic

cancer this year alone. You know that old saying that knowl-

edge is power? Well, knowing you have pancreatic cancerearly and nding a specialist who can help you gives you the

power to act quickly, and, quite rankly, extend your lie.

I have had my share o ups and downs since my diagno-

sis. Ater a relapse in 2004, I started a our-drug chemotherapy

regimen that I remain on today. My oncologist, who is a leading

pancreatic cancer specialist in Los Angeles, fies out to meet

me on the road every eight weeks to give me chemotherapy.

Currently, I show no detectable evidence o the disease.

Accompanied by our purple feet o a motorcycle, a truck

and a 40-oot trailer, we contact the media and use social net-

working tools to create a loud and very public message o

hope or survivors, their amilies and volunteers all along our

route. Every day, we drive home the necessity or progress inearly detection, treatment, prevention and nding a cure.

In addition to

organizing and attend-

ing events, rides and

rallies wherever we

go, we visit pancre-

atic cancer survivors,

caregivers, volunteers,

researchers, grass-

roots activists, policy

makers, oncologists,

medical centers and

local and ederal leg-

islators. Many o those

we visit are involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Net-

work and work with us to get the message out.

The entire journey is being photographed and video re-

corded or a documentary, and segments are posted on our

website to reach as many people as possible. I hope you, your

riends and your amily members will ollow the tour online and

help us. I believe in the power o people to make change

through action, so join us in delivering our message through-

out the country. We cannot do this without your help. It is time

to act now. To nd out more, visit us at www.Road2ACure.org.

A sTORy O HOPE And insPiRATiOnBy Chris Calaprice

PATiEnT And liAisOn sERViCEs (PAls)Do you want to learn more about pancreatic cancer? PALS oers comprehensive, high-quality

normation and resources or patients and amilies acing pancreatic cancer, including inormation

about the disease, treatments, clinical trials, side eect and symptom

management, diet and nutrition, and support resources. To fnd out more,

or to order a complimentary education packet, contact a PALS Associate.

El programa de PALS esta disponible en espaol.

Patient and Liaison Services (PALS)

Monday - Friday, 7am - 5pm Pacifc Time

Toll-ree: 877-272-6226 | E-mail: [email protected]

The Pancreatic Cancer Action

Network salutes the eorts o

Road 2 A Cure. The motorcycle

tour across all 50 states planne

by Road 2 A Cure will bring mu

needed visibility and awarenes

pancreatic cancer.

Julie Fleshman

President and CEO

Pancreatic Cancer Action Net

Chris Calaprice

From let, Road 2 A Cure Media Pro-

duction Specialist Andy Madison withJennier and Chris Calaprice


11/16


HUndREds gATHER in dAllAs ORCOMMUniTy OUTREACH lEAdERsHiP TRAining 2010From March 26 to 28, 2010, 220 Pancreatic Cancer Action

Network volunteers, including 17 survivors, convened inDallas or the eighth annual Community Outreach Leadership

Training conerence. The activity packed weekend provided

an opportunity or members rom more than 70 aliates

around the country to strategize and share best practices, as

well as learn about the latest developments at headquarters.

President and CEO Julie Fleshman opened the

conerence by providing an in-depth look at the growth o the

organization, its current research portolio, recent legislative

progress on Capitol Hill, expanded patient services and a

new Community Outreach sta structure designed to support

aliate development and outreach eorts.

Conerence sessions ocused on key areas o

coordination: leadership, advocacy, education and outreach,

event planning, and media outreach. More than 20 workshop

sessions provided volunteers with opportunities to network

and share best practices about topics including attracting

more event participants, developing an advocacy program,

and enhancing education and outreach opportunities.

As volunteers expand their outreach, they are beginning

to partner with nearby aliates. The conerences Regional

Roundtable sessions gave participants the chance to network

and plan uture collaborations. During the sessions, I was able

to make contact with our neighboring aliates in Savannah,

Birmingham, and Chattanooga, said Louise Blackman,

Atlanta Aliate Coordinator. We discussed how we can

support each other by attending meetings and events other

aliates are holding. I let Leadership Training with a stack o

business cards and a number o new amily members.

National Board o Directors Member Jai Pausch delivered

the keynote speech at the Volunteer Awards dinner on Saturdayevening. During her remarks, she mentioned the eorts o her

late husband, Randy Pausch, PhD, Carnegie Mellon University

proessor and the co-author o the bestselling book The Last

Lecture, to shine the spotlight on pancreatic cancer beore

he lost his own battle with the disease in 2008.

She also oered conerence guests words o wisdom

and comort about the circumstances they collectively ace.

CReaTe a LeGaCy GIfTA legacy git ensures that your estate will benet countless lives aected by pancreatic cancer.

planned git to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a wonderul way to help us ulll our i

portant mission. To learn more about creating a bequest, or planned gits, please contact Pam

Acosta Marquardt at [email protected] or at 877-272-6226.

Spending two days with more than

200 other volunteer leaders was

like being part o a huge support

group. We all knew why we were

there. Each o us had a story, but

we didn't need to tell it. We could

eel the energy, the commitment,

the quiet confdence that we aremoving toward our goal o beating

this horrible disease. It was a good

eeling!

Ron Niendor

Madison Aliate Coordinator

Tim Pendell, Senior Director o Community Aairs or the DetroitLions, talks about his teams support o the Pancreatic CancerAction Network.

Keynote speaker Jai Pausch with survivor and Tampa Bay AfliateCoordinator Sandy Martin


12/16


CoNGRaTuLaTIoNs To ouR 2010 VoLuNTeeR aWaRD WINNeRs

Aliates o the YearDetroit and Philadelphia

Rookie Aliate o the YearOklahoma

Aliate Coordinators o the YearChristina Tabarrini and Kevin Kelly, Philadelphia AfliateGreg Petrosewicz, Austin Afliate

Event Coordinator o the YearTammy Andries, Madison Afliate

Advocacy Coordinator o the YearJerey Ross, Dallas-Fort Worth Afliate

Education and Outreach Coordinators o the Year

Christina Jagielski and Meghan Combs, Detroit Afliate

Media Representatives o the YearColleen Kmiecik, Detroit Afliate

Robin Warshaw, Philadelphia Afliate

Community Representative o the YearLeslie Walder, Hartwell, Georgia

Founders AwardVirginia Grifn, Dallas-Fort Worth Afliate

Randy Pausch AwardRalph and Mariann Cheney, New York

Aliate Sponsor o the YearThe Detroit Lions

Attending this event is very special to me, Jai said. It eels

like were among amily membersIt takes a lot o strength

to do what we do, to move orward and bring more attention

to the disease. I think that together, as we put our shoulders

against the rock and we push, all o us together, we are going

to make a big dierence and weve already seen it.

Following the dinner, the 2010 Aliate Awards were

presented, honoring both new and long-term aliates and

volunteers rom around the country. (See a list o this years

honorees below.)

During the conerence, Paul Grippo, PhD, o Northwestern

University, recipient o the 2007 Nancy Daly Riordan

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Career Development

Award, oered insight into his current research eorts. Tim

Pendell, Senior Director o Community Aairs or the Detroit

Lions, shared his thoughts about how the organization can

eectively partner with sports teams to raise awareness. He

also accepted the Sponsor o the Year Award on behal o

the Detroit Lions, given in recognition o the teams ongoing

partnership and awareness-raising initiatives.

On Sunday, Board Chair Jason Kuhn joined Julie

Fleshman or the popular Java with Julie, Jason and Friends,

a lively open-orum discussion where participants could ask

the leaders questions about the organization.

At the session, accompanied by a ve-oot-tall Tempur-

Pedic mascot bear, Dan Setlak, Vice President o Marketing

or Tempur-Pedic North America, reminded attendees

about the tremendous success o the 2009 Tempur-Pedic

Hugs Back campaign, which raised $500,000 and unded

the Tempur-Pedic Retailers Pancreatic Cancer Action

Network AACR Pathways to Leadership Grant. He also

mentioned that his company will debut a cream-colored 2010

Tempur-Pedic Hugs Back bear later in the year to urther raise

awareness o the disease.

Many conerence guests ound the weekend inspiring

and invigorating. My biggest takeaway was that we are not

in this alone, said Megan Tillery, St. Louis Aliate Event

Coordinator. No one aliate or team is autonomous. There

is so much to be learned and shared with this whole network

o people all working toward the same goal.

President and CEO Julie Fleshman (let)and Board member Jai Pausch (ar right)

with survivor Ralph Cheney and his wie,Mariann, Randy Pausch award recipients.

Dan Setlak, Vice President o Marketing orTempur-Pedic North America, and a riend

display the new 2010 Tempur-Pedic HugsBack Campaign awareness bear.

Grantee Paul Grippo, PhD, o NorthwesternUniversity discusses his research with

volunteers.


13/16


wElCOME TO OUR nEwAiliATE COORdinATORsWe welcome the ollowing new Afliate Coordinators

who began in their roles rom January to May o 2010.

Caliste Coey

Los Angeles Afliate

Tamara McCullen

Birmingham Afliate

Ron NiendorMadison Afliate

Murrene PaytonMilwaukee Afliate

Suzanne RogertOmaha Afliate

Edith Snider

Chattanooga Afliate

Kimberly Spelman

Broward/Palm Beach Afliate

Nick TextorChicago Afliate

Keith TurnerColorado Springs/Pueblo

Afliate

jOin OUR indiVidUAlMARATHOn PROgRAM

The Pancreatic CancerAction Network invites you toparticipate in the marathon orhal-marathon o your choice

to raise awareness and undsin support o our mission.Participants may receive theofcial TeamHOPE runningjersey and training, depending

on their level o undraising.

The program runs year-round and is open torunners and walkers rom all over the country. Nowaccepting participants or the L.A. Rock n' RollHal Marathon on October 24, 2010. Learn more atwww.teamhopemarathon.org.

ARiZOnAChevys Fundraiser 2010, Mesa, 2/26/2010

CAliORniA

Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Hal Marathon,

2/7/2010

PurpleStride South Bay, El Segundo, 2/13/2010

Cups o Hope Tea Celebration, San Diego, 5/1/2010

Night at Petco Park 2010, San Diego, 5/15/2010

COnnECTiCUT

5th Annual Abelon Memorial Walk, East Hartord, 5/15/2010

lORidAPurpleStride Tampa Bay, 5/22/2010

gEORgiA

Front Yard Finds, Savannah, 5/1/2010

illinOis

Night with the Chicago Bulls, 1/11/2010

PurpleStride Chicago, 5/1/2010

iOwA

Awareness Day with the Iowa Cubs, 5/23/2010

lOUisiAnA

St. Amant Garage Sale, Baton Rouge 5/8/2010

Corks N Canvas, New Orleans, 5/8/2010

MissOURiPurple Night Out, Chestereld, 4/8/2010

PurpleLinks St. Louis, 5/10/2010

nEw yORK

Cookin' Up a Cure, New York City, 5/24/2010

OHiO

Happy Hour Fundraiser, Columbus, 4/23/2010

PurpleBowl Warren, 5/2/2010

OREgOn

Raise a Glass or a Cure, Portland, 4/24/2010

RHOdE islAnd

Night o Hope Fundraising Dinner, West Warwick,

5/22/2010

Texas

PurplePingPong DFW, Dallas, 3/14/2010

Hockey Fights Cancer, Dallas, 3/31/2010

Eigth Annual Boot Scootin', Fort Worth, 4/10/2010

Night with the Dallas Mavericks, 4/14/2010

Purple Night Out, San Antonio, 5/2/2010

wAsHingTOn

Glassybaby Reception, Seattle, 2/19/2010

4th Annual Celebration o Hope, Seattle, 5/1/2010

wisCOnsin

Awareness Day with the Brewers, Milwaukee, 5/14/2010

EVEnTs sUMMARyjAnUARy MAy 2010


14/16


Noted healthcare industry leader

Stuart Rickerson has been

named to the Pancreatic Cancer

Action Networks National Board

o Directors.

Ater 25 years o experience as

an executive and corporate legal

ocer, Rickerson had his distin-

guished career in the pharmaceutical and medical device

industries cut short in January 2005 when he was diagnosed

with pancreatic cancer. As a consequence, he was orced

into retirement rom the day-to-day management o complex

international healthcare companies.

He is recognized as a leader in board and corporate gov-

ernance, perormance-based executive compensation and

using the legal process to achieve strategic business and

competitive advantage. He has served on several publicly-

traded NYSE and NASDAQ boards during his career.

Rickerson's ocus now is to increase research unding into

identiying the causes, and improving the diagnosis, treat-

ment and long-term care or those with pancreatic cancer.

RiCKERsOn nAMEd TO BOARd O diRECTORs

COllABORATiOns, giTs KEys TOAdVAnCing ViTAl REsEARCH EORTsJust as the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network acilitatescollaborations among all o its grant recipients to propel

research initiatives, the organization actively works with

institutions around the country to urther common goals in

the ght against the disease.

One example is the relationship the organization shares

with Washington, D.C.s Georgetown University Medical

Center and Georgetown University Hospital. Researchers

there periodically collaborate with executives o the Pancreatic

Cancer Action Network to strategize about the best ways

to accelerate research eorts and other support within the

pancreatic cancer community. We strive to understand

patients experiences at each institution, learn about currentand uture clinical trials, and meet physicians who specialize

in the disease so that we can provide accurate and timely

inormation to callers who contact us through our Patient

and Liaison Services (PALS) program, said Julie Fleshman,

President and CEO.

She added that local aliates o the Pancreatic Cancer

Action Network also work with institutions in their areas to

heighten awareness and visibility o the disease. Georgetown

University Hospital will provide valuable support or the

inaugural PurpleStride Washington, D.C., on June 19, 2010.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network volunteers have also

participated in symposia hosted by Georgetown.

Georgetown University recently made a signicant

investment in expanding investigations into gastrointestinal

cancers like pancreatic cancer with the ormation o The Otto

J. Ruesch Center or the Cure o Gastrointestinal Cancersin 2009. The new center was unded with a $6.75 million

git rom philanthropist Jeanne Ruesch in memory o her

late husband, who passed rom pancreatic cancer in 2004.

The acility will urther gastrointestinal cancer research, drug

discovery and patient advocacy eorts at Georgetown's

Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Generous gits like the one Jeanne Ruesch made to

Georgetown University are instrumental in establishing

long-range strategies to advance the quest or a cure or

pancreatic cancer, said Pamela Acosta Marquardt, Director

o Donor and Corporate Relations at the Pancreatic Cancer

Action Network. We applaud Mrs. Ruesch or the thoughtulvision she has demonstrated by establishing this pivotal

center.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network believes that a

long-term, well-dened strategy is the best way to achieve

our goal to establish a comprehensive pancreatic cancer

research community, added Fleshman. We are pleased

to hear about the actions o individuals like Jeanne Ruesch

and Georgetown University Medical Center. We need more

committed individuals and institutions like these that are

willing to dedicate the time and resources needed to bring an

end to pancreatic cancer.

For inormation on investment opportunities within the

Pancreatic Cancer Action Networks comprehensive research

program, please contact the Donor Relations department at

877-272-6226.


15/16


sAVE THE dATEAn EVEning wiTH THE sTA13TH AnnUAl gAlACEnTURy CiTy, CA | OCTOBER 30, 201To learn more, e-mail [email protected]

This program represents a wonderul

way to pay ongoing tribute to your loved

one while raising awareness and unding

or the fght against pancreatic cancer.

www.frstgiving.com/keepthememoryalive

KEEP THEMEMORy AliVE

When CarlosMohamed, MD, an

obstetrician/gynecologist

in McAllen, Texas,

was diagnosed with

pancreatic cancer

on August 20, 2008

at age 60, his amily

was devastated.

Soon, however,

they ound solace

in learning how

cherished he was to many o those who knew him.While he was undergoing treatment, many o his pa-

tients wrote to him and told him how much they loved him,

according to his daughter, Suleima Mohamed Cepeda. He

had the human touch that is so vital in practicing good med-

icine, she added, a quality that resonated with those in

his care.

Once Dr. Mohamed ound out his condition was terminal,

he told his amily he wanted to support pancreatic cancer

research as part o his legacy. As amily members looked or

a way to honor their athers wish, they ound the Pancreatic

Cancer Action Network through an Internet search.

The Mohamed amily established a Keep the Memory

Alive memorial page in the beloved physicians honor ollow-

ing his passing on December 1, 2008, and asked his riends

and business associates to donate to the Pancreatic Can-

cer Action Network in lieu o fowers. We included a link to

the page in my athers obit. Many people began posting

touching comments and making donations. A lot o my dads

colleagues were among those who responded and contrib-

uted the most, Suleima said.

The generosity o Dr. Mohameds riends and associates

in the medical community has been extraordinary. Con-

tributions to his page have surpassed those o any o the

organizations other Keep the Memory Alive pages.

His desire to help others acing pancreatic cancer wasindicative o a lielong commitment to bettering humankind.

Also trained as an oncologist, Dr. Mohamed helped to ound

two hospitals. The rst, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance,

a 506-bed, acute-care acility in Edinburg, Texas, recently

opened a cancer center and named a ountain on the prop-

erty ater him to inspire cancer patients in treatment there.

The other acility, Centro de Ginecologia y Obstetricia,

is a physician-owned hospital in Monterrey, Mexico near the

place where Dr. Mohamed was raised. My dad would travel

there one Saturday out o each month or years to care or his

patients there, Suleima said. He always wanted to help as

many people as he could.The Mohamed siblings share their athers commitment

to serving others, added Suleima, who is pursuing a masters

degree in Public Administration in Urban and Social Policy

rom the School o International and Public Aairs at Colum-

bia University in New York.

Like her ather, Suleimas sister, Samira, is an obstetri-

cian/gynecologist who recently moved back to McAllen, the

amilys hometown, to take over her athers medical practice.

Their brothers, Carlos, a pediatric dentist, and Yuse, who is

preparing to take his MCAT exam in Boston, also gravitated

to medical elds. The amilys matriarch, Maria Teresa, takes

pride in all o her childrens considerable achievements.

The amilys support o the Pancreatic Cancer Action

Network has expanded beyond the memorial page. Suleima

distributed purple ribbons at her own wedding on October

17, 2009 to raise awareness o the disease. And on February

11, 2010, Samira organized a $100-per-ticket, wine-tasting

undraiser in McAllen to benet the organization.

We read the articles on the research grants that are

awarded (by the organization), and we are proud to help und

them, Suleima added. We hope that through our contribu-

tions, other amilies can have the hope that we were denied.

And we eel honored to continue supporting a cause that was

so important to our ather.

REVEREd PHysiCiAn sOURCE O insPiRATiOnOR His AMily, RiEnds And PATiEnTs

Carlos Mohamed, MD and Maria TeresaMohamed


16/16

THis sUMMER,lET iT BE PURPlEVisit our Shop Purple S tore today to up

your awareness collection with some o

new items and shine in purple this summ

www.PAnCAn.ORg/sTORE

Non-Prot Org

US Postage

PAID

Torrance, CA

Permit No.473

2141 Rosecrans Ave., Ste 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245

CAlEndAR O EVEnTsdATE EVEnT nAME CiTy, sTATE COnTACT

6/21-6/22/2010 4th Annual Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day Washington, DC Daphne Delgado at [email protected]

6/22/2010 National Call-In EVERYWHERE! Daphne Delgado at [email protected]

7/31/2010 PurpleStride Pikes Peak Colorado Springs, CO Stacy Mackin-McLeod at [email protected]

8/8/2010 PurpleSwim Baltimore Baltimore, MD Timothy Beatty at [email protected]

8/14/2010 PurpleBowl Raleigh-Durham Cary, NC Peggy Brescia at [email protected]

8/15/2010 PurpleStride Pittsburgh "Pick Up The Pace" Pittsburgh, PA Theresa Dukovich at [email protected]

8/21/2010 PurpleStride Western Slope Montrose, CO Brittany Fleming at [email protected]

8/28/2010 PurpleRide Spoke-d'Alene Coeur d'Alene, ID Alex Monteiro at [email protected]

9/11/2010 PurpleStride Golden Gallop Golden, CO Teresa Bauerle at [email protected]

9/12/2010 PurpleStride Detroit Royal Oak, MI Pat Hall at [email protected]

9/18/2010 PurpleStride Jacksonville Jacksonville Beach, FL Elizabeth Gregg at [email protected]

9/18/2010 PurpleStride Central Ohio Cliton, OH Stephanie Bennett at [email protected]

9/19/2010 PurpleRide Twin Cities Maple Grove, MN Julie Globa at [email protected]

9/19/2010 PurpleStride Madison Madison, WI Debbie Kennedy at [email protected]

9/25/2010 PurpleStride Iowa West Des Moines, IA Jill Anonson at [email protected]

9/25/2010 PurpleStride Austin Bee Cave, TX Mandy West at [email protected]

9/26/2010 PurpleStride Long Island Long Island, NY Debbie Lee at [email protected]

9/26/2010 PurpleStride Rochester Rochester, MN Linda Skovbroten at [email protected]

TO COnTACT UsI your address is incorrect, or you are receiving duplicate

o this publication, you may submit changes in one o thre

email [email protected]; update the label and mail it to O

PanCAN, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA

or call 877-272-6226. By giving the code number that

above your name, your request can be processed quickly

you or helping us to manage our expenses.

outreach june 2010

Documents