Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Meet Danielle B., #PanCANvolunteer and registered dietitian at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center! 🍏💜🍽️ Danielle recently spoke with PanCAN Community Engagement Senior Specialist Paula M. about what fuels her commitment to the cause — both in her career and as a volunteer. “I’m a registered dietitian. I’ve worked at two major cancer centers. I used to work at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and I learned about PanCAN from working with pancreatic cancer patients there,” Danielle shared. “I’ve been using PanCAN as a resource for patients for years.” When she attended #PanCANPurpleStride Sacramento with a friend whose father passed away from #pancreaticcancer, Danielle saw a chance to give back. “At the walk, there was a sign-up sheet to learn more about volunteering. I thought that maybe I could help, so I signed up.” Now as Survivor Outreach Chair, Danielle connects survivors and caregivers to PanCAN’s programs and to each other, something she finds deeply meaningful. “The highlight of this role has been pairing up survivors, so they won’t feel alone,” she said. “There are two I paired up who still talk almost every day.” At her cancer center, Danielle integrates PanCAN resources into patient care, ensuring families know where to turn for information, support and hope. “When I meet newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients, I tell them about PanCAN and encourage them to reach out to PanCAN Patient Services. I put the word out about PanCAN within my facility.” 💜 Danielle says volunteering has given her a new perspective on the impact of her work. “As a clinician, sometimes what you need to see your patient as a complete person is to see them outside of the clinic. It makes your heart full to be a part of something outside of the usual treatment spaces.” Thank you, Danielle, for your compassion, leadership and for helping survivors and families find connection and strength through PanCAN. Visit 🔗 http://pcan.at/knyojk to read more of Danielle's story.

Bring your community together this Fall for a cozy chili cook-off PanCAN fundraiser! 🥣🍂 Charge a ticket fee for friends, family and neighbors to taste and vote for their favorite bowl. Crown your Purple Ladle Champion and enjoy an evening of connection — knowing every ticket supports PanCAN's vital programs. 💜 Visit pancan.org/diy to learn more about hosting your own fundraiser for PanCAN this Fall! 🍁

Today marks 14 years since the passing of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., who died from pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer (PNET), a rare form of #pancreaticcancer. We honor his legacy — not only as a visionary in 📱 technology, but also as a reminder of the critical need for continued research, earlier detection and improved treatments for everyone affected by all types of pancreatic cancer. At PanCAN, we continue to fight for breakthroughs, patient support and hope for all impacted by this disease. Together, we can work toward a future where stories like Steve’s are defined not by loss, but by survival. 💜 To learn more about pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pancreatic NETs or PNETs), visit: http://pcan.at/a0q1cg 📷: Inc.

This National Golf Lover's Day, we’re spotlighting the annual Ken Wood Memorial — a tradition that has brought family and friends together on the course for 17 years in memory of Ken Wood’s life and love of golf. ⛳💜 After Ken passed away from #pancreaticcancer, his wife Kandi and their community turned grief into action. What began as a way to heal has grown into an annual celebration of Ken’s legacy, filling the course with two full teams and raising more funds for PanCAN each year. Kandi shared: "None of us will ever understand 'Why Ken?'" but because he touched our lives, we remember him and celebrate the exact way he would want us to. This year, the Ken Wood Memorial raised more than $21,000 — proof that love, friendship and purpose can carry on for decades. Thank you, Kandi, for turning loss into purpose and inspiring us all with your dedication and heart. Tee off your own fundraiser at pancan.org/diy and drive change for the pancreatic cancer community! 🏌️♂️

Estamos aquí para apoyar a pacientes y familias. 💜 Aprenda más ➡️ pancan.org/ReduzcaSuRiesgo

Just after midnight on October 1, federal spending lapsed. With no deal reached on either a short-term funding patch or full–year appropriations bills for the new fiscal year, many government operations have now shut down. This shutdown is not just a political standoff – it has real consequences for patients and research progress. Already this year, the threats of funding cuts, freezes, staff terminations and prolonged uncertainty have slowed research. Now, with the government closed: 📣 New patients aren’t being admitted to the NIH Clinical Center. 📣 Critical work to advance scientific discovery is frozen. 📣 New research grants are not being issued. 📣 Agency staff are furloughed. 📣 Training of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at NIH facilities has stopped. For patients with pancreatic cancer and their families, time is the one thing they don’t have to spare. Every delay in research means lost opportunities for progress. That’s why we need your voice now more than ever. Tell Congress to reopen the federal government and finalize spending bills that include increases for pancreatic cancer research. Science cannot advance without funding – researchers, patients and families need stability, not shutdowns. Learn more, including how YOU can take action ➡️ http://pcan.at/advocacy

A smile can spark hope. 💜🙂 This World Smile Day, we’re smiling for the brighter future we’re building together.

Every patient journey is unique — and so are the moments of strength along the way. We invite you to share your own moment of empowerment in the comments. 💜💬

Juan Piña helps patients and families navigate a diagnosis of #pancreaticcancer through his work as a PanCAN Patient Services Navigator. 💜 Prior to joining PanCAN, he graduated from California State University, Long Beach and worked as a paralegal in an immigration office, where he learned the intricacies of case management and the importance of empathy. Today, as a Spanish-speaking member of the team, Juan draws from his own experiences growing up in his desire to serve this population. In this role, he provides an extra level of support and attention to patients and caregivers facing external barriers to care. “I am a first-generation kid whose parents immigrated to this country from Mexico, which has led me to empathize with and want to help the Spanish-speaking community,” he shares. “I’ve always felt this sense that I want to help people. I always want to do what I can to be a better person.” As part of our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite you to learn more about Juan and his work with PanCAN. Read this story in English ➡️ http://pcan.at/m4mq0y   Lea esta historia en español ➡️ http://pcan.at/87usry 

Want to make a difference for people facing #pancreaticcancer this October? 💜 There are many meaningful ways you can be a catalyst for change for the pancreatic cancer community: 🕯️ Create a Tribute or Memorial Page – Celebrate the life of someone you love by starting a personalized fundraising page in their honor. 🎃 Host Your Own Fundraiser – This October, put a creative spin on giving back! Organize a Halloween costume contest, pumpkin carving party or movie night and make it a fundraiser for PanCAN. 📲 Fundraise on Social Media – Launch a Facebook or Instagram fundraiser and rally your community to support PanCAN’s mission. Every gift brings us closer to improving outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients. Visit pancan.org/diy to start your fundraiser today