FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“AN EVENING WITH THE STARS” HONORING ACTOR KELSEY GRAMMER RAISES MORE THAN $400,000 FOR PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. U.S.A. (Nov. 17, 2003) - The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) raised more than $400,000 for pancreatic cancer research and awareness at its annual gala “An Evening with the Stars” on Nov. 8th in Beverly Hills. The black-tie event honored actor Kelsey Grammer with the Jack Benny Humanitarian Award and featured an evening of celebrities, dining, entertainment and an auction. The event took place during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, a major outreach campaign to advocate for more research, early detection methods and ultimately a cure. PanCAN is the first, national patient-based advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community, including patients, families, medical researchers and physicians.

At the event, Kelsey Grammer, a three-time Emmy Award winner for his work playing Dr. Frasier Crane on NBC’s “Frasier”, accepted the Jack Benny Humanitarian Award. The award was established to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Jack Benny, who died of pancreatic cancer in 1974.

Julie Fleshman, PanCAN Executive Director, said, "The support shown from everyone at this gala for PanCAN and the pancreatic cancer community is tremendous, and we continue to move forward with positive enthusiasm in our fight to find a cure. "

In addition to the celebrity gala, PanCAN and hundreds of volunteers across the country are working hard to spread the word about the need for a cure. Volunteers are taking action by hosting awareness and fundraising events nationwide, contacting their local media, organizing “Pennies for PanCAN” drives, speaking at community organizations, and distributing posters and brochures on some of the resources available to pancreatic cancer patients, like PanCAN’s Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) program.

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