The National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Research

Why it’s so Important. Why we Need Your Support in Washington, DC

Since its inception, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has worked to increase federal government funding for pancreatic cancer research. Our approach has been to work on the Government Affairs/Advocacy side to increase overall appropriations to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and specifically, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and then to work within the NCI to ensure that a growing percentage of those funds are directed to the NCI’s pancreatic cancer research portfolio.

Through our advocacy efforts and our relationships within NCI, we have been very successful in these efforts:

  • NCI’s funding for pancreatic cancer research has increased from $17.3 million in 1999 to $74.2 million in 2006.
  • In 2006, the pancreatic cancer and breast cancer portfolios were the only NCI research portfolios among the top five cancer killers that grew. All others were cut.
While we are proud of these successes, $74.2 million is nowhere near enough to make true progress, as evidenced by the current state of the science. In addition, NCI has been flat funded in the last few years. If this continues, and we are projecting that it will, funding for the pancreatic cancer research portfolio will be impacted as well. The bottom line is that if we want something different, we have to do something different.

Based on a plan developed by our Scientific Advisory Board called, The National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Research, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is seeking from Congress an initial investment of $170 million to implement a five-step plan. The plan includes:
  • providing a new focus for pancreatic cancer by launching a targeted research initiative;
  • strengthening and expanding the number of pancreatic cancer specialized research centers;
  • developing a cadre of research scientists;
  • establishing a coordinating mechanism to ensure the most efficient use of resources; and
  • promoting physician and public awareness.
Current funding for pancreatic cancer research is $74.2 million, so this ask represents a significant increase in funding at a time when Congress is looking to cut spending. However, we know that we must take action now. Pancreatic cancer kills quickly only because our science has moved too slowly to understand it, to diagnose it and arrest it. It’s time to move quickly. It’s time to Raise the Cure for pancreatic cancer.

As a new initiative for the pancreatic cancer community, it will take some time to build the foundation and then create the momentum necessary for seeing actual legislative change. Most legislative initiatives of this nature take 3-4 years to come to fruition; while we will certainly advocate for quick enactment, we should be prepared for a tough battle and we will need the continued support of all our volunteers from around the country to make this possible.

The National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Research is a significant but very urgent and necessary investment to overcome the disparity that has existed in funding pancreatic cancer research. The fastest way to make progress is to quickly bring federal research funding for pancreatic cancer to parity with other cancers. To read the entire The National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Research, click here.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has not been waiting for action—we’ve been the catalyst for progress. We have heard repeatedly from the brightest scientific minds in the country that pancreatic cancer research is an area that holds great promise. Researchers want to get into this field, but with the current funding levels are choosing other areas that hold greater promise for sustained funding. We know the power of greater investments in research. Our organization has raised over $25 million to fund private research and support services for the pancreatic cancer community and has pledged to raise an additional $25 million for pancreatic cancer research as part of our Raise the Cure initiative. Through our thousands of volunteers, donors and advocates across the country, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has done its part and will continue to do its part to Raise the Cure for pancreatic cancer.

We can’t do it alone. We need your help and we need Congress’ help. Again, we are not waiting for a solution, we’re providing one. We’ve built upon the work being done by the best scientific minds in this field to create a new action plan to raise the cure. But we need your help to make this happen. Take action now!

Learn More
Detailed Plan: The National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Research
Press Release: The National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Research
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in Washington DC to ask for $170 million in research funds
Watch Dr. Randy Pausch's Emotional Testimony Before Congress

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