FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PANCREATIC CANCER SURVIVOR HONORED WITH
PANCAN SPIRIT OF HOPE AWARD AT CELEBRITY GALA

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. U.S.A. (Nov. 17, 2003) - The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) honored Pacific Palisades, Calif. resident Michelle Hackbarth, a two-and-a-half year pancreatic cancer survivor, with its Spirit of Hope Award. The PanCAN award recognizes the courage of pancreatic cancer patients and their families by honoring one pancreatic cancer survivor each year and the hope and inspiration this individual contributes to the fight against the disease. The award was presented to Hackbarth 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.

Julie Fleshman, Executive Director of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, said, “Michelle Hackbarth is an extremely inspirational person. As a busy mother, wife and math teacher, Michelle finds time to participate in PanCAN’s Survivor and Caregiver Network and share her experiences with other patients and their families. Michelle is truly an inspiration to all of us.”

Michele Hackbarth is a graduate of Cal State Northridge. She taught at Hawthorne Elementary School in Beverly Hills and has worked in Beverly Hills schools since 1979. The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce also honored Hackbarth with the Outstanding Teacher Service Award.

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.

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