FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA 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 Red Lion, Pa. resident Bob Hammen 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 Hammen 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 retired International HR Director from AT&T’s Asia/Pacific Region, Hammen became active after his wife, Linda, became ill with pancreatic cancer in 2000. Following her death in 2001, Hammen founded PanCAN Team Hope Pennsylvania-Central, which recently completed its first awareness/fundraising golf event.

A tireless advocate, Hammen successfully worked with his Congressman, Todd Platts, to have November recognized as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month by the US House of Representatives. PanCAN now has a congressional member who champions this national recognition every year.

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