In the past year, pancreatic cancer has claimed the lives of a number of high-profile individuals including Congressman John Lewis, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek. In 2021, more than 300 West Virginians are expected to die from the disease, underscoring the urgent need for increased research funding to develop better treatment options and an early detection method to help change patient outcomes.
Eighty percent of these crucial funds come from the federal government, which is why local pancreatic cancer survivors, caregivers and families who have lost loved ones, are taking part in PanCAN Action Week 2021, kicking off Monday, June 14, calling upon Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito as well as their local members of House Representatives to advocate for increasing research funding for pancreatic cancer at the federal level. Because when federal research funding increases, so do pancreatic cancer survival rates.
PanCAN Action Week kicks off on Monday June 14 with Voices in Action, the largest-ever gathering of pancreatic cancer advocates. This inspiring virtual event is free to all participants and will be time to honor loved ones and remember those lost. Action Week continues Tuesday and Wednesday with opportunities to call and email Congressional Representatives to urge their support for increased funding.
As a champion for the cause in Congress, Congressman David McKinley (WV-1) will be participating in Voices in Action on Monday night. His conversation with pancreatic cancer advocate Annette Fetty-Santilli of Philippi, who lost her brother to pancreatic cancer will share why taking action at the federal level is so important in this disease and how one person makes a big difference, but by working together, more can be accomplished.
For more information about the efforts of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in West Virginia, people can contact Ms. Fetty-Santilli at 304-621-3648 or asantilli@pancanvolunteer.org. Everyone is invited to join the Facebook Group: West Virginia – Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
