April 19, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH HONORS PRESIDENT AND CEO JULIE FLESHMAN WITH A DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – (April 19, 2010) – The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is pleased to announce president and CEO Julie Fleshman has been recognized by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) with a 2010 Distinguished Public Service Award for her leadership and dedication to the fight against pancreatic cancer. To view Fleshman’s acceptance speech. The speech is approximately 15 minutes into the video or at slide 9 on the lower right.

“I am extremely honored to be recognized by the AACR with the Public Service Award,” stated Fleshman. “This recognition is a symbol that the pancreatic cancer movement is growing and increasing in size and strength. We are extremely grateful to the AACR for helping us to provide hope to the pancreatic cancer community.”

The AACR Distinguished Public Service Award was presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 during the opening ceremony on Sunday, April 18. Fleshman, along with John Niederhuber, M.D., director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Jon Huntsman, founder of the Huntsman Corporation, were chosen by the AACR’s Board of Directors in recognition of their commitment and dedication to the fight against cancer and their efforts to increase public awareness and raise funds for research, treatment and support of people with cancer.

“We are so grateful for the contributions of these three extraordinary individuals,” said Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D., chief executive officer of the AACR. “They have dedicated themselves to furthering cancer research, advocating for patients and raising public awareness of the need to advance the science and eradicate the 200 diseases we call cancer.”

After Fleshman lost her father in 1999 to pancreatic cancer, she made a commitment to change the course of the disease. Since she joined the organization in 2000, she has led the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network from a startup to a well-respected national organization fighting pancreatic cancer in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization’s advocacy and grassroots efforts have led, in large part, to a 400 percent increase in federal funding for pancreatic research.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network collaborates with the AACR to promote and support outstanding pancreatic cancer research. This year, its funding level is nearly $2.3 million, representing a nearly 90 percent increase from last year.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network:
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization raises money for direct private funding of research—and advocates for more aggressive federal research funding of medical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network fills the void of information and options by giving patients and caregivers reliable, personalized information they need to make informed decisions. We create a sense of hope and community so no one has to face pancreatic cancer alone. The organization helps support individuals and communities all across the country work together to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY CONTACT:
Jennifer Rosen
Senior Manager, Public Relations
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Direct: 310-706-3362
Email:jrosen@pancan.org

ALL OTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL THE PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK AT 877-272-6226 OR EMAIL INFO@PANCAN.ORG.