Royal Pains Cast Plays A Starring Role In Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer

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Nov 15, 2013, 01:00 ET

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., Nov. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has teamed up with the cast of the USA Network primetime show "Royal Pains" to educate fans and the general public about the severity of pancreatic cancer. Mark Feuerstein, who plays Dr. Hank Lawson, the talented and respected doctor behind a Hamptons medical practice, appears in a new public service announcement (PSA) for the organization with co-stars Paulo Costanzo, Reshma Shetty, Brooke D'Orsay, and Ben Shenkman.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111004/LA79914LOGO)

Royal Pains creator and executive producer, Andrew Lenchewski, was personally touched by the disease when he lost his father to pancreatic cancer in April 2013. The PSA is in memory of his father Dr. Enrique Lenchewski, Eden Ross Lipson (mother of Royal Pains associate producer Margo Johnston), Danny Aiello III (former Royal Pains stunt coordinator and son of actor Danny Aiello), and the thousands across the nation affected by the disease.

"Too many members of the Royal Pains family have been personally affected by pancreatic cancer, and we are proud to support the important work being done by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network," stated Andrew Lenchewski. "What the organization is doing to advance research for pancreatic cancer and to increase the visibility of pancreatic cancer really motivated our team to get involved and help make a difference. Together, we can make progress by raising awareness and fighting to make pancreatic cancer a national priority."

Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but is expected to become the second by 2020. This year alone, more than 45,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and more than 38,000 will die from the disease. And, the five year survival rate is just six percent.

"We applaud Andrew Lenchewski and the Royal Pains cast for recognizing that they can make a difference by joining our efforts to advance research, support patients and create hope for the pancreatic cancer community," said Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "The Royal Pains team will be wonderful allies for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network as we work diligently to double the survival rate for pancreatic cancer by 2020."

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, visit www.pancan.org. And to view the new Royal Pains PSA, visit www.youtube.com/stoppancreaticcancer.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase the survival rate for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double the Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate by 2020. Together, we can know, fight and end pancreatic cancer by intensifying our efforts to heighten awareness, raise funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for dedicated federal research to advance early diagnostics, better treatments and increase chances of survival.

Video with caption: "Royal Pains Public Service Announcement for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network." Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqYkh77kRiw

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network