Institute For Science And Health

Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund

Mission Statement:

The Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund is dedicated to seek methods for early detection and develop innovative targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer and other cancers with a similar etiology.

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease that has a one-year survival rate of less than 20% and five-year survival rate of less than 4%. Of the more than 30,000 Americans who will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year there will be almost no survivors. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most incurable, under-funded, and under-researched cancers. Early diagnosis is difficult. And, there are no substantially effective treatments or therapies.

To create top-of-the-line awareness, generate research contributions and create urgency about this dreaded disease, the Institute for Science and Health established the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund in 2002.

This Fund was created in memory Ann McEnroe, mentor and teacher at Villa Duchesne/Oak Hill School in St. Louis , Missouri , who died from pancreatic cancer. In record time the fund, managed and operated by the Institute, has been able to establish various substantive community events to generate awareness and research contributions.

Much work needs to be done to enhance methodologies for early detection, so that treatment might begin at a time prior to systemic metastasis when it is already too late for a hope of long-term survival. Additionally, we have supported and continue to support novel research into innovative targeted therapies that specifically target the cells that comprise devastating cancers, including pancreatic cancer. The tremendous promise of such targeted therapies is that not only can they be effective treatment methods - they may also be cures because some methods have the potential to seek and destroy cancer cells, even after the cancer cells have spread beyond the pancreas.

The Institute's ability to continue to support vital research and provide hope to those suffering from, and those yet to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer depends on the generosity of our benefactors. Please join us join this important mission.