Editor’s Note: Yesterday we shared the following article about the recent passing of actors Richard Hatch and John Hurt. We recognize and apologize that our comments weren’t inclusive of all patients. We are dedicated to working each day with you to Wage Hope and change outcomes for all pancreatic cancer patients. We sincerely appreciate each of you sharing your feedback and for your ongoing support.

Richard Hatch, best known for playing Captain Apollo on the original “Battlestar Galactica” TV series, died today from pancreatic cancer.

richard-hatch-bwHatch’s death comes less than two weeks after fellow sci-fi legend John Hurt died of the same disease.

“We continue to lose prominent people to this disease who have shaped our lives and culture,” said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, president and CEO of our organization. “We must bring more awareness to pancreatic cancer by continuing to amplify the national conversation, and we must raise more funds in order to see a scientific breakthrough that changes the course of this deadly disease.”

Hatch joins a growing list of other actors, musicians and notable public figures who’ve succumbed to pancreatic cancer, including Alan Rickman and Patrick Swayze.

We have an urgent goal to improve outcomes for patients battling the disease today and double survival by 2020. Our bold and comprehensive approach to Wage Hope through research, patient services, advocacy and community action support critical initiatives like Precision Promise, Know Your Tumor and the Patient Registry.

There is no one way to defeat pancreatic cancer. It will take an all-out effort. By working together, we will break new ground, push boundaries, change rules, command attention, empower change, and uplift lives.

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