FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UTAH JAZZ TO RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
FOR PANCREATIC CANCER AT OPENING GAME WITH LA LAKERS ON NOV.
3
“Put Your Hand in the Can” Benefits the
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. U.S.A.
(Oct. 21, 2004)― The
Utah Jazz will host a fundraiser for the Pancreatic Cancer Action
Network (PanCAN) during their first game of the season on Nov.
3 at the Delta Center beginning at 8:30 p.m. Fans will be asked
to “Put Your Hand in the Can for PanCAN” to donate
to the nonprofit organization, the first, national patient-based
advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community, including
patients, families, medical researchers and physicians. Bobbye
Sloan, wife of Coach Jerry Sloan and a tireless advocate for cancer
awareness, passed away from pancreatic cancer earlier this year.
“We’re grateful to the Jazz and
to the Sloan family for their support,” said Julie Fleshman,
president of PanCAN. “We know that the fans will show the
same enthusiasm for PanCAN that they do for their outstanding NBA
team.”
When they come to the opening game of the season to see their
team play the LA Lakers, Utah Jazz fans will discover PanCAN volunteers
and donation cans at the entry, exits and Fanzz stores throughout
the Delta Center .
“Though pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms
of cancer, it receives the least amount of federal funding,” said
Fleshman. “Every penny that a fan donates is precious in
our fight to find a cure.”
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death
in the U.S. for men and women. To help people learn more about
this disease and the urgent need for funds and research, November
has been designated as National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
PanCAN will present The Emily Couric Public Service Award to
Coach Sloan on behalf of Bobbye at the organization’s annual
gala and fundraiser, An Evening With the Stars, on Nov. 13 in Beverly
Hills , Calif. This award is given to an individual or organization
that in its public role exemplifies the dedication to others as
seen in the life of Emily Couric, the former Virginia State Senator
who died of pancreatic cancer. Emily Couric was the sister of well-known
NBC Today Show host Katie Couric.
A few facts about pancreatic cancer:
- Pancreatic cancer has the #1 fatality rate of all cancers.
- Pancreatic cancer is the #4 cancer killer in the United States
among both men and women.
- The 99% mortality rate for pancreatic cancer is the highest
of any cancer.
- Pancreatic cancer does not discriminate by age, gender or
race and only 4% of patients will survive beyond 5 years.
- The average life expectancy after diagnosis with metastatic
disease is just 3-6 months.
- Approximately 42.5 million dollars was spent on pancreatic
cancer research in 2003 of the National Cancer Institute’s
( NCI ) cancer research budget. This is just a mere 0.8 of 1%
of the NCI ’s 4.592 billion dollar cancer research budget
for 2003.
About PanCAN
PanCAN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999
by surviving family members of individuals who died of pancreatic
cancer. 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 .
###
PanCAN Media Contact:
Jennifer
Beaver/Aaron Kiel
Phone: 562-983-8117
Email: jbeaver@akprgroup.com
Utah Jazz Media Contact
Kim Turner
Phone: 801-325-2572
Email: kturner@utahjazz.com
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