Advocates at the U.S. Capitol for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day

PanCAN advocates urged Congress to support a new, dedicated pancreatic cancer research program. And they did!

National Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day 2019, hosted by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), was one for the record books. Thank you to everyone who attended the event, participated in Pancreatic Cancer Action Week, called your members of Congress, shared on social media, and so much more.

Your impact was significant!

U.S. Congressman David McKinley with PanCAN advocates on Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day 2019

U.S. Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) with his district’s PanCAN advocates.

On Tuesday, June 25, 650 registered participants from every state, including 110 pancreatic cancer survivors, loved ones, healthcare professionals and other passionate supporters, donned their purple and ascended on Capitol Hill.

They urged their members of Congress to increase federal funding for pancreatic cancer research, including creating a dedicated pancreatic cancer research program in the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.

There were more than 370 meetings with members of Congress on Advocacy Day, and advocates delivered 6,700 petitions to their representatives in the U.S. House and the Senate.

U.S. Congressman Joe Kennedy with a young advocate on Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day 2019

U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA), co-chair of the Deadliest Cancers Caucus, with young PanCAN advocate Logan Wood.

Meanwhile, thousands of advocates made Moments Matter (a theme at this year’s Advocacy Day) in their own homes by raising their voices during Action Week.

  • Over 4,600 people sent messages to their elected officials to tell them to prioritize funding for pancreatic cancer research
  • 1,900 phone calls were made as part of Call Congress Day on June 20
  • More than twice the number of people participated in Call Congress Day over last year

This strong display of action shows that the pancreatic cancer community is fired up to improve patient outcomes and survival rates through increased research funding.

In addition to taking action and contacting Congress, Action Week participants helped spread the word about our cause on social media.

More than 25,000 social media engagements created a surround sound around Advocacy Day, and our message resonated loudly and clearly over Capitol Hill.

Here are highlights from the media’s coverage of PanCAN’s Advocacy Day 2019:

    WJLA-TV interview with PanCAN volunteer advocates and staff about Advocacy Day 2019

    At WJLA-TV, from left, Eileen Whelan (meteorologist) with Elise Tedeschi (PanCAN’s Atlanta Affiliate Chair) and Kevin Sims (PanCAN)

  • MSNBC “Morning Joe”: U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) discussed his personal connection to pancreatic cancer on Monday, June 24, with Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, who lost her best friend to the disease. He reiterated the need for additional federal pancreatic cancer research funding.
  • Cox Media Group (which owns broadcast television stations, radio stations and newspapers nationwide): Interviewed pancreatic cancer survivor Elise Tedeschi and PanCAN staffer Kevin Sims on Monday, June 24.
  • WJLA-TV (ABC) Washington, D.C.: Interviewed Tedeschi and Sims live in-studio on Tuesday, June 25, on “Good Morning Washington.”
  • WUSA-TV (CBS) Washington, D.C.: Interviewed Trevor Findley, PanCAN’s Washington, D.C., Affiliate Advocacy Chair and Sims on the 5 p.m. newscast on Tuesday, June 25.
    • WUSA-TV interview with PanCAN volunteer advocates and staff about Advocacy Day 2019

    At an interview at WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C., from left: Adam Longo (anchor), Trevor Findley (PanCAN’s Washington, D.C., Affiliate Advocacy Chair), Kevin Sims (PanCAN staffer).

  • Congressional Quarterly “Roll Call”: Newsletter for Capitol Hill employees featured an interview with PanCAN President and CEO Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA.
  • New York’s Country 94.7 FM: “New York Matters” radio program featured PanCAN Influencer of Hope singer Erin Willett (“Hope’s Alive”) and PanCAN staffer Erin Holstein.
  • Iowa radio station KMA Land: Spoke with Cedar Falls Affiliate Chair Amy Jardon about her plans to meet with her members of Congress for Advocacy Day 2019.
  • The Chicago Tribune: Highlighted first-time Advocacy Day participant Deeann Witek who solicited others in her community to share stories she could bring to her representatives in Congress.

More articles about Advocacy Day 2019:

Contact a Patient Central Associate
Learn more about our advocacy issues and how you can join the fight!