Our momentum is fueled by the community that stands with us and by those we are honored to support. Together we can turn hope into progress and inspire others with our persistence and determination to find a cure. This season, new vaccine research offers a glimpse of what’s possible, our 20th Seed Grant milestone highlights two decades of impact, and deeper insight into how funding cuts ripple beyond the lab. From groundbreaking discoveries to grassroots fundraisers, our community is driving momentum on every front, because progress can’t wait.
Research Grows into Clinical Trials & New Seeds to be Planted
An exciting early-stage clinical trial from Dr. Zev Wainberg, one of our UCLA Hirshberg Center-funded researchers, offers patients new hope for preventing relapse. The early studies show promising immune responses with minimal side-effects from an “off-the-shelf” vaccine, a major step toward improving outcomes for patients.
We continue to celebrate 20 years our Seed Grant Program, a milestone that underscores two decades of innovation and promise. As of mid-August, we received a record-breaking number of new applications, signaling a surge of interest from early-career scientists eager to pioneer new frontiers. This enthusiasm reminds us that the path toward a cure is being forged right now, by scientists determined to make a difference. Your generosity doesn’t just support research, it ignites ideas, propels bold thinking, nurtures new voices, and fuels the discoveries that bring us ever closer to pancreatic cancer breakthroughs.
Safeguarding Critical Research
Since April, many of the proposed federal funding cuts have come to fruition, placing immense pressure on vital research. The impact is felt deeply at UCLA, our hub for laboratories, patient programs, and groundbreaking science. As Dr. O. Joe Hines, Executive Medical Director of the Department of Surgery at UCLA shares, “This is not just numbers on a page; it represents careers disrupted, trials delayed, and patients waiting longer for answers.” Through our Seed Grant Program and Beyond the Seed initiative, we are sustaining critical experiments, preserving laboratories, and protecting bold ideas at their most fragile moment. With your support, we can ensure that lifesaving progress continues, even in the face of cuts.
Our LACC Brings Science and Patient Stories to the Forefront
This year, we shine a light on Dr. Evan Abt, our Honorary Medical Chair, whose research explores cancer metabolism and immune regulation. His team is exploring new combination therapies that include adenosine inhibitors in combination with checkpoint inhibitors to enhance immune responses against pancreatic cancer. Dr. Abt’s success is a testament to the power of collaboration, mentorship, and the resilient research community. This year’s Honorary Starter is Gerri Weiner, a powerhouse of positivity. Nearly four years after her Whipple surgery and chemotherapy, she inspires us all with her determination to live a full and joyful life. Gerri’s story has come full circle: she first joined the LACC 13 years ago to honor her father, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This year, she leads her team cancer-free and will inspire us before the race begins.
Register today for the LA Cancer Challenge on October 26, 2025 →
Purple Ribbon Fundraisers in Action: Rachel’s Triple Crown Swim
Momentum takes many forms, and some of the most inspiring come from unexpected places. Rachel Griffin is making literal waves after swimming the English Channel on August 6th to complete the Triple Crown of Marathon Swimming. She’s dedicated every mile to Channeling for a Cure in honor of her parents and is raising awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research with creativity, heart, and determination. Rachel proves you don’t have to be a scientist to make an impact, you can turn what you love into a powerful way to give back. Her swim is a mighty reminder that when passion meets purpose, every effort moves us closer to a cancer-free future.
Want to give back every time you get groceries? Now you can when you shop at Ralph’s or Kroger →
Mid-Year CancerCare Update
In the first half of 2025, our partnership with CancerCare provided 65 grants totaling $13,600 to pancreatic cancer patients across the nation. These funds eased urgent needs like transportation, childcare, and co-pays, lifting the weight of financial stress so patients could focus on healing. Beyond financial aid, CancerCare offers counseling and practical resources, ensuring families have both the tangible support and emotional guidance they need during treatment. Thanks to our donors, this partnership remains a cornerstone of our mission: not only funding research for future treatments but caring for people’s needs in real time. Every grant and service restores dignity, strengthens families, and reminds patients they are never alone on this journey.
Together, we are more than a foundation, we are a movement of patients, families, researchers, and advocates determined to change the future of pancreatic cancer. Thank you for standing beside us, for refusing to give up, and for ensuring that tomorrow holds more hope than today.
