FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

House and Senate Pass Proclamation Supporting PanCAN’s
November Awareness Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 10, 2007) – Today, both the United States House and Senate passed legislation (S.Res. 222/ H.Res. 257) supporting the goals of PanCAN’s November awareness activities and recognizing November as "National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month." Together, the resolutions are important milestones in raising awareness about the high mortality rate and lack of screening or treatment options for this devastating disease.

While this is the first time for the Senate resolution, Representative Todd Platts (R-PA) has championed similar resolutions every year since 2002. This year, he was joined by Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and 83 of their colleagues. The lead sponsors of the Senate resolution are Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Gordon Smith (R-OR). During his floor statement, Rep. Cummings noted the recent tragedy of Luciano Pavarotti’s death as a poignant reminder of the need for an improved investment in pancreatic cancer research. Rep. Platts said that it was a "moral imperative for Congress to work to increase awareness of this deadly cancer" and recognized PanCAN’s role in designating November as National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. In a joint press release, Senators Clinton and Smith noted that the "resolution will bring attention to the need for increased research funding, early detection methods, and treatment, as well as public education about pancreatic cancer."

There are currently no early detection tools and 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 four legislators have provided 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. 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.

Related Links
http://www.clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=282299&&
http://www.house.gov/platts/

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

# # #