Politics & Government

Letter to the Editor: Support Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act

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Dear Editor,

Pancreatic cancer has the lowest relative survival rate of all the cancers tracked by the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), with a five-year survival rate in the single digits at just six percent. This insidious disease is severely under-researched and under-funded. Part of the problem is that the NCI allocates only two percent of its $5 billion budget for pancreatic cancer research.

The best way to fight this disease and change the status quo is to pass the Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act (S. 362/H.R. 733) which would require the NCI to develop a long-term comprehensive strategic plan to combat the disease.

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Having my members of Congress co-sponsor this bill is so important to me because I lost my own Mother in July 2010, only eight days after her pancreatic tumor was discovered. She deserved a fighting chance. I want those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the future to have a fighting chance. Imagine a room filled with 100 newly-diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients. One year later, 74 of those patients will have passed away. Five years later? Only 6 of the original 100 will be alive. That is the fight that we are up against. 

I am grateful that our very own (11th District) and Senator Saxby Chambliss are co-sponsors. However not all of our representatives in Congress have signed on to the bill yet, and I would like to encourage Senator Johnny Isakson to join Representative Gingrey and Senator Chambliss in co-sponsoring this critical legislation.

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Please join me in the fight against pancreatic cancer—visit www.knowitfightitendit.org to learn more.

Together, we can make a difference.  

Sincerely,

Kelly Smith, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network


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