FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARYLAND RESIDENT HONORED WITH PANCAN SHINING STAR AWARD AT CELEBRITY GALA

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. U.S.A. (Dec. 1, 2003) - The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) honored Rockville, Md. resident Mary Zapor with its Shining Star Award, given to a volunteer who demonstrates outstanding commitment, leadership and compassion for the lives and spirits of individuals and families dealing with pancreatic cancer. The award was presented to Zapor on Nov. 8th during PanCAN’s “An Evening with the Stars” celebrity gala for pancreatic cancer. PanCAN is the first, national patient-based advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community, including patients, families, medical researchers and physicians.

A lawyer in the Rockville area, Zapor became active after the death of her brother, Gary Stout. She has been a volunteer manager of the pancreatic cancer e-mail support group sponsored by the Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR) since it was created in 1997, and became a PanCAN Team Hope Coordinator for the National Capital Area in 2000.

A tireless advocate, Zapor spearheaded PanCAN’s participation at numerous health and cancer information events, fundraisers, public television promotions. She continually lobbies congressional leaders concerning pancreatic cancer and research funding.

About Pancreatic Cancer
Approximately 30,700 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. for men and women, and only 4 percent of patients survive beyond five years. The 99% mortality rate is the highest of any cancer. There is no cure or early detection methods and effective treatment options are extremely limited. Purple ribbons have become the symbol for the fight against pancreatic cancer.

About PanCAN
PanCAN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999 by surviving family members of individuals who died of pancreatic cancer. Chartered as a grassroots organization of advocacy for pancreatic cancer patients and their families, PanCAN currently has volunteers and members throughout the United States and around the world. PanCAN is the first, national public-benefit advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community. The organization works to focus national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, and provides public and professional education embracing the urgent need for more research, effective treatments, prevention programs and early detection methods. Visit www.pancan.org to obtain more information, e-mail info@pancan.org, or call 1-877-272-6226.

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Media Contacts:

Aaron Kiel
Public Relations Consultant for PanCAN
Phone: 562-983-8113
Email: akiel@akprgroup.com

Company Contacts:

Julie Fleshman
Executive Director, PanCAN
Phone: 310-725-0025
Email: jfleshman@pancan.org