AUGUST 7, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DR. FRANCIS COLLINS CONFIRMED AS DIRECTOR OF THE
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH:
A STATEMENT FROM THE PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK

EL SEGUNDO, CA – (August 7, 2009) – The following is a statement in response to the Senate’s confirmation of Dr. Francis Collins to be the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure.

“The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network congratulates Dr. Francis Collins on being confirmed as Director of the NIH and we look forward to working with him in this new role to ensure scientific progress is made against pancreatic cancer.

“Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and, with a five-year survival rate of less than five percent, is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Pancreatic cancer is one of the few cancers in which survival has remained largely unchanged over the past thirty years. We hope these grim statistics will soon change, and that finding a cure and effective treatments will become a priority under his leadership.”

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization raises money for direct private funding of research—and advocates for more aggressive federal research funding of medical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network fills the void of information and options by giving patients and caregivers reliable, personalized information they need to make informed decisions. We create a sense of hope and community so no one has to face pancreatic cancer alone. The organization helps support individuals and communities all across the country work together to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

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

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