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About Us
PanCAN's vision is to create a world in which all patients with pancreatic cancer will thrive.
Our mission is to take bold action to improve the lives of everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer by advancing scientific research, building community, sharing knowledge, and advocating for patients.
Our Comprehensive Approach
PanCAN was the first organization dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer in a comprehensive way, and for more than two decades, we’ve grown a nationwide movement tackling the disease from all angles.
Research
We fund transformative research — everything from early detection to innovative new treatment approaches.
Patient Services
We provide information about treatment options, diet and nutrition, support resources and more, and we can answer all your questions along the way.
Advocacy
We work with thousands of grassroots advocates to urge Congress to increase federal research funding for pancreatic cancer, and we get results.
Community
Be part of our movement! You can volunteer locally, participate in a PurpleStride community event or host your own fundraiser.
Our Goals by 2030
Drive 5-year survival from 10% to 20%
Thanks to PanCAN's approach to fighting pancreatic cancer, the survival rate reached double digits in 2020. In 2024, it increased to 13%. Now we're working to get to 20% by 2030 through funding scientific research, disrupting the traditional pancreatic cancer clinical trials system with our own new approach, leading an early detection initiative, and more.
Raise $80M annually
Donors fund every bit of progress we make, so your gifts and PurpleStride fundraising support are critical to funding lifesaving research and keeping our vital patient and caregiver programs and services operating – free of charge.
Grow awareness of PanCAN in the U.S. from 14% to 30%
More people need to know about pancreatic cancer – symptoms, risk factors, treatment options and how PanCAN is here to help patients and families at every step. We'll increase awareness through national campaigns, media coverage, strategic partnerships, events and more, and we'll continually measure our success.
WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED TOGETHER
With approximately $208 million invested in research since 2003 and a more than $34 million investment this year
93%
93% of our respondents told us they felt more knowledgeable after speaking with an expert Patient Services case manager
$208M
Generated a total research investment of approximately $208 million
700+
More than 700 PanCAN volunteer leaders drive local community action for our nationwide movement
1075%
Boosted National Cancer Institute funding for pancreatic cancer by 1075% since starting our efforts in 1999
270,000
Patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals have called upon our organization more than 270,000 times for free information, resources and support
$11.8M
Our nationwide PurpleStride community raised $11.8M this past year to fund our critical research and programs and services for patients
Earned Charity Navigator's highest four-star rating for 18 years in a row, indicating our strong financial health, ongoing accountability and transparency.
Our History of Achievements
From our beginning as a three-person nonprofit to our role today as a nationwide network supporting the pancreatic cancer community, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has made significant progress fighting this deadly disease. View a few of our achievements below.
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The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network was founded by Pamela Acosta Marquardt, Paula Kim and Terry Lierman.
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Inaugural One Voice Against Cancer advocacy days held in Washington, D.C.
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40 volunteer affiliates established nationwide who raised nearly $364,000
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Government Affairs & Advocacy office opens in Washington, D.C., and first international affiliate launches in Japan
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25,000 patients and caregivers have been served by our call center
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Established the Deadliest Cancers Coalition focused on addressing policy issues related to cancers that have five-year relative survival rates below 50 percent
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Since 2003, we funded 66 research grants, representing a cumulative investment of approximately $10 million
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Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act signed into law requiring the National Cancer Institute to develop a strategic plan on how to fight pancreatic cancer
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Nearly 82,000 people participated in our PurpleStride, the walk to end pancreatic cancer, raising more than $10.5 million
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Launched Know Your Tumor ® precision medicine service that uses molecular profiling to provide patients and their doctors with information about the biology of their tumor
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Launched Clinical Trial Finder online tool with the most comprehensive and up-to-date database of pancreatic cancer clinical trials in the U.S.
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Led the creation of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition (WPCC) representing 40 pancreatic cancer advocacy groups from around the globe
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Thanks to the actions of thousands of PanCAN advocates, Congress approved the second $2 billion increase in a row for the NIH in FY17. Plus, $60 million in funding was approved for the DoD’s Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program.
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PanCAN received an unprecedented $25 million gift – the largest donation in the history of the organization – to honor the memory of Skip Viragh, one of the country’s most influential mutual fund investment experts.
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Precision Promise launches as the first adaptive clinical trial platform for pancreatic cancer patients in the world.
WHO WE ARE
Our dedicated staff and passionate volunteers take action every day for a cause neglected far too long. Get to know the women and men who are leading the charge for all those impacted by this disease, including our president and CEO Julie Fleshman.
Scientific & Medical Advisory Board
Our Core Values
In all that we do, we’re guided and passionately driven by these five principles. Learn more.
We are committed to providing exemplary service and expressing gratitude so that everyone's experience with us is positive and meaningful. We do our very best to deliver on that commitment.
We know our responsibilities and we don't make excuses or blame others for our mistakes. Simply put, we see it, own it, solve it and do it.
We are dedicated to having a diverse team and working together in a spirit of community and inclusion to challenge and support each other to be the very best. An emphasis on team achievements and pride in individual accomplishments contributes to our collective successes.
We are inspired by our constituents every day. Their courage and determination remind us that unrelenting optimism and hope can motivate and inspire us all to reach our goals. If we add a little "sparkle spirit," we can achieve anything.
