Pancreatic Cancer Researchers & Advocates From The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network To Join Rally For Medical Research

Event To Take Place On Monday, April 8th

News provided by

Apr 08, 2013, 06:00 ET

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers and advocates from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will join nearly 200 national organizations today in demonstrating their concern about the impact of sequestration on cancer research during the Rally for Medical Research at 11 AM on the steps of the Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C.

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

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a sponsor of the Rally for Medical Research which will unite millions of Americans across the country to call on our nation's policymakers to ensure lifesaving medical research funding is a national priority and end the sequestration cuts, which took effect on March 1, 2013. This unified call to action will raise awareness about the critical need for a sustained investment in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve health, spur more progress, inspire more hope and save more lives.

Sequestration slashed the NIH budget by 5.1 percent or approximately $1.5 billion, including a reduction totaling more than $250 million in cancer research funding in FY 2013 alone. The fight against cancer will be dealt a major setback by these cuts. For the nation's deadliest cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, where the need for scientific advances is so great, the effects of sequestration could be extremely detrimental.

"Budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health will have a long-lasting and devastating impact on cancer research and we are deeply concerned about the impact on pancreatic cancer, which currently has a five year survival rate of just six percent," said Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "Pancreatic cancer is anticipated to move from the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States to the second leading cause of cancer death by the year 2020, or as early as 2015. We cannot afford to stall the efforts underway to develop early detection methods and more effective treatment options that will lead to better outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients."

Advocates unable to attend the rally in person are encouraged to call their members of Congress on Monday, April 8 between 9 AM and 5 PM (EDT) to tell them to make lifesaving medical and cancer research funding a national priority. To participate, go to www.pancan.org/takeaction.

For more information about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, go to www.pancan.org, and for more information on the Rally for Medical Research, please visit www.rallyformedicalresearch.org.

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.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Julie Fleshman
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=75525

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network