FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCAL NEWPORT COAST PANCREATIC CANCER SURVIVOR HONORED WITH PANCAN SPIRIT OF HOPE AWARD

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. U.S.A. (Dec. 7, 2004) - The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) honored Newport Coast , Calif. resident John Harty, a four-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 celebrates the hope and inspiration this individual contributes to the fight against the disease. The award was presented to Harty on Nov. 13th 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.

“John Harty is a courageous and positive person who is passionate about helping others,” said Julie Fleshman, CEO and president of PanCAN. “John and his wife Kathleen truly embody the spirit of hope by sharing their experiences with others who are facing the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. We’re thankful for John and very proud to give him our Spirit of Hope Award.”

Harty is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University . After a successful management career with subsidiaries of PepsiCo and Kraft Foodservice, he retired but still coaches senior managers in top companies. Harty is a dedicated volunteer in PanCAN’s Survivor and Caregiver Network. He also provides feedback and advice to PanCAN’s Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) Program to help ensure the quality of patient services and information available to the community. PALS is an innovative and comprehensive free program for pancreatic cancer patients, their families and health professionals. Trained PALS associates help people understand their options so they can discuss them with their medical teams and loved ones. PALS Associates are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST at 877-272-6226 or at www.pancan.org.

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:

Jennifer Beaver/Aaron Kiel
PanCAN Public Relations Consultants
Phone: 562-983-8117 / 562-983-8113
Email: jbeaver@akprgroup.com
Email: akiel@akprgroup.com

Company Contacts:

Julie Fleshman
PanCAN President & CEO
Phone: 310-725-0025
Email: jfleshman@pancan.org