FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Senators Clinton and Smith Join Representatives Platts and
Cummings in Raising Awareness about Pancreatic Cancer

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 6, 2007 – Today, Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) introduced a Senate Resolution in the United States Senate that would recognize November as "National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month." The Senate resolution is a complement to similar legislation, House Resolution 257, previously introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Todd Platts (R-PA) and Elijah Cummings (D-MD). Together, the bills are important milestones in raising awareness about the high mortality rate and lack of screening or treatment options for this devastating disease.

There are currently no early detection tools or effective treatments, and research into this disease is decades behind other leading cancers. More than 37,000 Americans will be diagnosed this year with pancreatic cancer, and 75 percent will die within the first twelve months from diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., yet one of the most underfunded for research.

"The leadership these legislators are providing for this initiative is critical in raising support for pancreatic cancer," says PanCAN President & CEO Julie Fleshman. "Our hope is that through this continued legislative support, pancreatic cancer will begin to develop the kind of funding, early detection, and treatment progress we need to increase the survival rate to parallel the range of other cancers."

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) began its efforts to dedicate the month of November to pancreatic cancer awareness in 1999. In 2002, Bob Hammen, a PanCAN advocate in York, Pa. took the idea of a congressional resolution to his local congressman, Rep. Platts, who has championed the annual resolution ever since and this year has been joined by Rep. Cummings. This will be the first year that there will be a corresponding Senate Resolution.

"This new resolution from Senators Clinton and Smith, added to the efforts Representatives Platts and Cummings are leading in the House, is very encouraging," adds Fleshman. "PanCAN is proud to see the momentum building to raise awareness for this deadly form of cancer."

PanCAN’s vision of a pancreatic cancer awareness month is part of continued efforts to raise awareness about this disease and to increase federal funding for pancreatic cancer research. The national organization and all of its affiliates will be leading many activities throughout the year and during the month of November to highlight pancreatic cancer.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc. (PanCAN), established in 1999, is the first national patient advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community. PanCAN works to focus national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. We provide public and professional education embracing the urgent need for more research, effective treatments, prevention programs and early detection methods. PanCAN also funds research grants for pancreatic cancer, as well as providing patient services. Volunteers across the country help us to accomplish our goals.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Darby Pearson
(202) 955.6222, ext. 2585
dpearson@spectrumscience.com

Annie Moore
(202) 955.6222, ext. 2547
amoore@spectrumscience.com

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