FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK CALLS ON THE PUBLIC TO WAGE HOPE DURING NATIONAL PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IN NOVEMBER

Manhattan Beach, CA (October 30, 2014) -- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is urging the public to join its efforts to Wage Hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer. November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and with the help of a growing base of supporters, greater awareness and fast tracking its comprehensive approach to fighting pancreatic cancer, the organization is focused on its goal to double pancreatic cancer survival by 2020. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s strategy combines funding scientific and medical research, building and sustaining federal support, providing support for individuals and families living with the disease, and raising awareness among tens of thousands of people in communities across the country each year.

“We need more Americans to get involved in the pancreatic cancer movement, especially during National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month, by encouraging more people to take action in fighting this disease,” said Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. “This November, we are excited to launch Wage Hope – our new rallying cry, a relentless call to action to keep fighting for those battling pancreatic cancer, no matter what it takes. It means we never surrender in our pursuit to accelerate scientific progress and change patient outcomes.”

Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States but is expected to become the second leading cause by 2020. Only 6 percent of Americans diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive more than five years. This year alone, more than 46,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and 73 percent will die in the first year of diagnosis.

“Wage Hope – two opposing, yet powerful words – are an invitation to understand why we exist and give people an opportunity to connect with our cause,” added Fleshman.

Wage Hope will roll out across the country, and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will ask all Americans to Wage Hope by visiting www.facebook.com/pancan and following @PanCAN on Twitter. Supporters will be encouraged to take action through digital-based engagement with actions throughout the month of November – from changing Facebook profiles and cover photos to sharing and retweeting content about how and where to Wage Hope.

In addition to the digital campaign, the following events are taking place nationwide during November:

Purple for a Purpose is one of the most visible events during National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and will be held on November 13. Purple for a Purpose is a campaign targeting celebrities, media influencers, on-air talent and supporters to wear purple, the color of pancreatic cancer, to raise awareness and open up a national discussion about the disease.

This year, Purple for a Purpose coincides with the first annual World Pancreatic Cancer Day, a day started by a group of international non-profit organizations, including the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. November 13 marks a global effort to significantly raise the profile and awareness of pancreatic cancer and to engage more people to take action to accelerate and grow an international movement.

Other nationwide fundraising and awareness activities targeting the general public through our corporate champions include:

Alex and Ani, Charity by Design’s Today Is an Opportunity Charm Bangle
Alex and Ani will donate 20 percent of the purchase price from the Today Is an Opportunity bangle to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. The bangle is available at Alex and Ani retail locations nationwide and online at www.alexandani.com.

Hockey Fights Cancer – The National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) have again named the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network a Hockey Fights Cancer charitable partner for this season’s Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Month (October 20 – November 17). As part of Hockey Fights Cancer, several NHL teams around the league are supporting our local volunteer affiliates by helping to raise awareness for the organization at home games across the country. For more information, visit www.hockeyfightscancer.com.

Tempur-Pedic® 2014 Hugs Back Campaign – From November 5 through December 3, Tempur-Pedic North America, LLC, has committed to contribute $10 to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network for every individual who tests a Tempur-Pedic mattress at a participating authorized retailer, up to a maximum donation of $250,000. To learn more or find a retailer, visit www.pancan.org/tempur-pedic.

Pentel of America: Pentel’s violet EnerGel-X pens are the “Violet Pen of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.” All packs and 12-count boxes of violet EnerGel-X liquid gel pens prominently feature the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network logo and support our Vision of Progress to double pancreatic cancer survival by 2020. Five cents from the purchase of each package of violet EnerGel-X pens is donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. For more information about Pentel, visit www.pancan.org/corporate-champions/pentel/.

Z Gallerie Shirley Key Shopping Weekend. In memory of Shirley Zeiden, mother of the company’s founders, Z Gallerie will donate 10 percent of sales from the Z Gallerie card this November 14 through November 16 to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Visit www.zgallerie.com. In addition, Z Gallerie will also donate $1 for every “like” and “share” on a specific Facebook post at facebook.com/zgallerie.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase survival for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double Pancreatic Cancer Survival by 2020. Together, we can Wage Hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer by intensifying our efforts to heighten awareness, raise funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for dedicated federal research to advance early diagnostics and better treatments and increase chances of survival.

For more information, go to http://www.wagehope.org
Follow the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on Twitter: @pancan and #WageHope
Follow the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pancan

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

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