Help the fight against Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer research is poorly funded.

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease that has seen little improvement in outcome over the past five decades. While pancreas cancer accounts for five times the deaths compared to breast cancer (when death rate is adjusted for the incidence of the cancer), federal funding for pancreatic cancer is miniscule compared to that for breast cancer. There is a crisis in the research and treatment options for pancreatic to cancer.

The importance of philanthropic support.

Rapid improvement in outcome of some cancers such as colorectal cancer and breast cancer demonstrated the important role of research for improvement of cancer care. To improve the outcome of pancreatic cancer, investment in research into early diagnosis, better identification of risk populations and improvements of treatment is necessary.

Greater investment into the research is required from both federal funding dollars and philanthropic support. Better funding of research for pancreatic cancer will attract high-quality investigators into this area. This is amply from demonstrated from our experience with research into breast cancer. Over the past decade huge investments by the Army and the National Institutes of Health together with private philanthropic foundations and individuals has led to tremendous advances in the treatment of breast cancer.

High-quality research is the essential foundation of and precursor to advancements in every field.Philanthropic support helps make truly transformational science possible. Endowed research funds may be used as start-up funds for junior faculty members or to support novel areas of research for more established scientists that are initially rejected by federal funding agencies.

How can you help?

Assist pancreatic cancer research at USC

There are many ways to make an outright gift for pancreas cancer research at the Keck School of Medicine and the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Cash gifts are very important and a check is an easy way to make a gift. Funds can also be sent using a "wire transfer." This can be accomplished through your bank or brokerage firm. Gifts of securities, land, or buildings may also be donated.Art, Collections, and other personal property may be donated, but the University must approve the gift prior to the transfer.

Please note intended usage of the funds either on the check or in an accompanying letter for pancreas cancer research.The check may be payable to the USC Center for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases and Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Address the letter to
USC Center for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases
Doug Whittle
Development Office
Keck School of Medicine of USC
1975 Zonal Avenue
KAM 516
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9036
Phone (323) 442-2559

Lobby your Congress representatives for increased federal funding for pancreatic cancer research

Research funding through the National Institutes of Health is a major source of face of funding in the United States for cancer research. Furthermore federal funding attracts outstanding investigators. Increase lobbying of the Congress for passing legislation supporting pancreas cancer research is important. You can play a very important role in lobbying your congressman for supporting research in pancreatic cancer when the budgets for National Institutes of Health is being passed by Congress

Support efforts of volunteer organizations promoting in public awareness of pancreatic cancer

Several organizations are nationally working to promote increased awareness of pancreatic cancer. These organizations include American Cancer Society and PanCan. Support of these organizations is an important way to nationally increase the debate over pancreatic cancer.

Contact information: USC Center for Pancreatic and Biliary Diseases
1510 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA
Phone: 1-855-724-7874 dde-mail:PancreasDiseases@surgery.usc.edu
Programs: pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, laparoscopic surgery, endocrine surgery,
ddddddddd biliary surgery

This web site provides select information about pancreatic and biliary disorders and is updated twice monthly. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical consultation with your physician.It is important that you consult with your physician for detailed information about your medical condition and treatment.The center will make every effort to update the site, however, past performance is no guarantee of future medical outcomes.
Copyright © 2002 USC Center for pancreatic and biliary diseases. All rights reserved.