Although it doesn’t tend to get as much media attention as other diseases, pancreatic cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is on track to become the second most fatal cancer by 2030. It is one of the few cancers that’s becoming more common, and those who are affected have a five-year survival rate of only 10%.
UC researchers and clinicians across the five UC Comprehensive Cancer Centers are working to address these bleak statistics through the UC Pancreatic Cancer Consortium (UCPCC), a partnership that launched in September 2017. By working together, they are able to share research advancements, produce collaborative grant applications, create centralized resources and optimize patient care — ultimately accelerating the progress and impact of their work.
In addition to conducting research, UCPCC members conduct a monthly seminar series with guest researchers from leading cancer institutes throughout the U.S. And this year, they’ve coordinated teams from all five cancer centers to participate in PurpleStride, a pancreatic cancer fundraising event organized by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) that’s held in communities nationwide on April 30. PanCAN uses the funds raised through PurpleStride and other events to fund scientific research, provide free case-management services to pancreatic cancer patients and their families, advocate for federal funding and promote community engagement.
“More than just an opportunity to fundraise, I see this as a great example of multiple UC campuses working together for a common cause,” says Kurt Giles, D.Phil., associate director, UCSF Pancreas Center and director of scientific affairs, UC Pancreatic Cancer Consortium.