For 25 years, the Hirshberg Foundation has set out to fulfill our five mission pillars; each represents a critical milestone that has had a ripple effect for patients and families around the world. Thanks to our fundraising efforts, community participation and generous donors, our hard work has resulted in extraordinary scientific discoveries and patient programs that help guide survivors. To date, we have committed millions of dollars to pancreatic cancer research and have seen improved treatments, outcomes, and quality of life for patients. One final piece of the puzzle remains: finding a cure. We celebrate 25 years of progress as our mantra guides the path ahead: “Never Give Up! Finding a Cure is Worth Fighting for.”
Pillar 1:
We have made this a reality through our UCLA Labs and the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Cancer Diseases. Comprised of 3 laboratories, tissue bank and an Integrated Practice Unit where patients are seen by a team of experts united in their care, our UCLA Center has influenced pancreas-focused institutions across the globe.
Pillar 2:
Through our Seed Grant program, the UC Pancreatic Cancer Consortium (UCPCC), our relationship with the American Pancreatic Association (APA), and an emphasis on collaboration, we have seen survival rates improve.
Our Seed Grant program funds innovative research in its early stages and has resulted in over $130 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. The UCPCC brings together 5 cancer centers to share their work and collaborate towards a cure. The annual APA meeting brings together an international group of scientists and clinicians to identify the best course of treatment and discuss the most up-to-date research results for pancreatic diseases. These partnerships are helping to accelerate the progress and impact of the research being done while translating that research into improved patient care.
Pillar 3:
A cornerstone of the Hirshberg Foundation is helping patients and their families navigate a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. What began with Agi sharing her experiences with other families has evolved into a robust program that includes a dedicated Patient & Family Support Specialist, a wealth of online resources, our annual Symposium and more. Our relationships with doctors around the world mean that we can provide referrals and support, and that each call is answered by someone who has been through it. Our patient support program has always been a beacon of hope for patients and families facing this disease.
Pillar 4:
In the spirit of Ron Hirshberg, our fundraising events have always centered around fitness activities for the whole family. After losing his father to pancreatic cancer, Jon Hirshberg began planning our first event, a 5K race to honor his father’s memory. For the past 25 years, our fundraising events have given the pancreatic cancer community a chance to honor loved ones, celebrate and support survivors, and create awareness. Now, our three signature fundraising events, the LA Cancer Challenge, the Tour de Pier and the Hirshberg Training Team, have raised over $20 million to date.
Watch more about the LA Cancer Challenge, the event that started it all →
Pillar 5:
The final pillar is yet to be accomplished, and we will not stop until our entire mission is complete. All of these accomplishments are steps towards our ultimate goal of finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. It is thanks to the support of our community that we commemorate 25 years of extraordinary scientific discoveries while providing support services for patients around the world.
