Living with pancreatic cancer can create an array of emotional and physical challenges. Fortunately, these new life difficulties can be greatly improved with the right support system in place. While family and friends can offer assistance there are many benefits to speaking with other pancreatic cancer patients and those with a shared experience. While not conventionally thought of as part of your medical team, support groups can provide a wealth of resources, tips and helpful information.

Participating in a support group online can make the difference between feeling alone and isolated versus feeling empowered and connected. Support groups can be beneficial for both the patient and the caregivers as it provides a safe space to connect with people going through comparable medical and psychological experiences. Not all support groups operate the same; some gather virtually while others are online forums where patients post questions, so take the time to find one that feels right for you.

Below are some of our partners and organizations that understand the importance of support groups for both pancreatic cancer patients and their loved ones.

• American Cancer Society provides free support services for anyone living with cancer and their loved ones. Search for support programs and services in your area.
• CancerCare provides free, professional support services for people living with cancer. They offer counseling with an oncology social worker to help cope with the emotional and practical challenges of pancreatic cancer. They also provide free online support groups for both pancreatic cancer patient and caregivers.
• Cancer Support Community offers a toll-free helpline and live web chat where anyone affected by cancer can speak with licensed counselors. Through MyLifeLine, you can create a private support webpage to stay connected with friends and family.
• WeSPARK offers an array of free support groups, from a caregivers group to a singles support group as well as in-treatment and post-treatment groups. They also offer various supplemental programs such as acupuncture, reflexology and tai chi. They advise an intake session where they review your history to better recommend programs that may be a good fit.
• Pancreatic Cancer Connections is an online social community that provides a safe space for pancreatic cancer patients and their loved ones to share their experiences, get valuable coping resources, and support one another.
• If you’re comfortable with social media, there’s a Facebook group called the Whipple Surgery Survivor Group. With patients from around the world, this vast community can be the right resource for those looking to connect with other patients on Facebook. This group does require you to have a Facebook account and posts may not be private.
• The Smart Patients Pancreatic Cancer discussion forum is an online support group for patients and caregivers dealing with pancreatic cancer. Members share help, advice and information about treatments, symptoms and side effects.
• Cancer Support Community South Bay offers a free, virtual group for pancreatic cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members to build and maintain a support community from diagnosis through treatment and recovery. (Available for California residents only)
• If you’re looking to connect with other patients and caregivers, ANCAN offers a virtual peer-to-peer support group with the mission to provide all pancreatic cancer patients with a better quality of life.
• Another virtual peer-to-peer group is led by long-term survivor Tom. Tom facilitates a space for patient and caregivers to share experiences, knowledge and support. Zoom calls are every Friday from 9:00am until 10:30am PST, contact Tom for more details.

If you are a patient or caregiver with questions, contact Patient & Family Support today.

Since 2005, our Seed Grant Program has fostered an environment where research can bloom. As we mark 20 years since our first cohort of grantees, it is inspiring to reflect on the impact of our early support and see all that is being accomplished.

Rushika Perera, PhD, exemplifies the enduring impact of the Hirshberg Foundation’s Seed Grant Program. Initially awarded a Seed Grant in 2014 as a senior postdoctoral fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Perera has a remarkable career of distinguished honors, mentorship, and scientific discovery.

In 2015, Dr. Perera joined UC San Francisco as an Assistant Professor and established the Perera Lab to investigate how pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells survive and grow. Her lab has shown that PDAC thrives in nutrient-poor, hypoxic environments by altering nutrient acquisition and utilization pathways such as autophagy and macropinocytosis. Her team continues to explore the mechanisms of autophagy-lysosome activation and how this organellar system contributes to cellular plasticity, adaptation to stress, and metabolic reprogramming in pancreatic cancer.

“The Seed Grant was instrumental in allowing me to generate critical preliminary data that served as the foundation for larger grant applications,” she said. “It gave me the freedom to be bold and follow the science.”

This early career grant helped collect preliminary data that was instrumental for securing major research funding. Dr. Perera has since received three National Institute of Health (NIH) R01 grants, an NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, and prestigious recognitions from the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Today, she is the Deborah Cowan Endowed Associate Professor at the School of Medicine, Vice Chair of the Anatomy Department, and Chief Scientific Officer of the UCSF Pancreatic Cancer Program, leading transformative research in pancreatic cancer biology.

The Perera Lab is at the intersection of cell biology and oncology, seeking to uncover new therapeutic targets by understanding how cancer cells hijack stress response pathways. Her latest publication in Nature identifies a key protein, PCSK9, as a driver in determining whether cells spread to the liver or lungs, offering potential new avenues to prevent and treat metastases.

Our Seed Grant Program empowers innovative scientists like Dr. Perera to chase bold ideas and inspire future leaders. Her accomplishments, and mentorship of the next generation, highlight the power of early career support. Early investment paves the way for future breakthroughs.

Thanks to your support, we’ve been planting seeds of hope through our Seed Grant Program for 20 years. These seeds continue to accelerate discoveries that bring hope to those facing pancreatic cancer. It is more crucial than ever to move Beyond the Seed: Bridge to Breakthrough. Private funding is the driver that will transform outcomes for patients and families.

Help us continue to sow seeds of hope for a cancer-free future, donate today

Summer is in full swing, and so is our momentum in the fight against pancreatic cancer. At the Hirshberg Foundation, we remain committed to our mission: funding bold, innovative research, supporting patients and caregivers at every step, and uniting our community through impactful events and education. From a record-breaking Tour de Pier to exciting updates in research and survivorship, this season’s stories showcase the power of progress made possible by your support.

Together, we’re not just funding research or raising awareness, we’re standing with families, fueling hope, and forging a path toward a cure. Thank you for walking this journey with us, pushing boundaries, and believing in what’s possible.

A new study led by Dr. Rushika Perera, a member of our Scientific Advisory Board and past Seed Grant Awardee, sheds light on pancreatic cancer’s dangerous ability to spread to distant organs like the liver and lungs. Published in Nature, the research identifies a key protein, PCSK9, as a driver of metastatic organ preference in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common and aggressive form of the disease.

Dr. Perera and her team at UC San Francisco investigated how pancreatic cancer cells colonize specific organs and adapt to survive in vastly different environments. They analyzed patterns of metastatic spread from the MetMap project and found metastases to either the lungs or the liver. In looking at the genomic differences, they found that PCSK9 plays a critical role in determining whether cells spread to the liver or lungs.

Their findings show that low levels of PCSK9 enable cancer cells to thrive in the cholesterol-rich environment of the liver, where they import LDL cholesterol to activate pro-growth pathways like mTORC1. These liver-avid cells also convert cholesterol into a signaling molecule, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, which helps them tap into nutrients from nearby liver cells.

In contrast, high levels of PCSK9 suppress LDL-cholesterol import, pushing cells to rely on their own cholesterol production which is a survival advantage in the oxygen-rich environment of the lungs. These lung-avid cells generate unique cholesterol intermediates that protect them from ferroptosis, a type of cell death driven by oxidative damage.

By manipulating PCSK9 levels, researchers could shift where the cancer spread, demonstrating that this protein is not only predictive of metastatic behavior but may also be a powerful therapeutic target.

“Cancers persist by adapting to live in new tissues and organs, and we found that pancreatic tumors use PCSK9 to adapt as they spread,” said Dr. Perera. “It opens the door to fighting metastatic cancer growth by manipulating how cells acquire their cholesterol.”

We are proud to highlight the work of Dr. Perera and her team, whose research is paving the way toward more effective strategies to prevent and treat pancreatic cancer metastasis. Our Seed Grants invest in scientists with bold ideas who want to be trailblazers in their field. Dr. Perera’s continued leadership is helping advance science that brings us closer to a future free of pancreatic cancer.

As we celebrate 20 years of Seed Grant awards, it is more crucial than ever to move Beyond the Seed: Bridge to Breakthrough. Private research has enabled these ideas to bloom from seeds into progress. We must ensure that research doesn’t just begin, but that it continues, evolves, and reaches the patients who need it most.

Donate today and help bridge the breakthroughs →

Learn more about our Seed Grant Program →

Our Scientific Advisory Board is composed of leading experts in the fight to cure pancreatic cancer – researchers and clinicians who are advancing science to save lives. This summer, we’re proud to highlight an exciting new chapter for longtime board member Dr. Anirban Maitra and share updated on the rising careers of two remarkable Seed Grant recipients from his lab, Dr. Fredrik Thege and Dr. Jimin Min.

Dr. Maitra will soon take the helm as Co-Director of a new GI Cancer Center and Associate Director of Translational Research at the Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health. Pancreatic cancer is a type of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, so it’s often diagnosed and treated within specialized GI Cancer Centers that focus on cancers of the digestive system. His leadership in translational research has already shaped the careers of many young investigators, and his move marks an important step in building a premier GI cancer research program.

“After 12 wonderful years at MD Anderson Cancer Center, I will be starting a new position at NYU Langone Health in September,” Dr. Maitra shared. “I am excited to start the next chapter of the Maitra Lab in NYC and build a strong GI cancer research program. I am always so grateful for… the Foundation’s support for our trainees in Houston over the past 12 years.”

Dr. Maitra’s legacy of mentorship is exemplified by two members of his lab, both 2024 Seed Grant recipients.

Dr. Fredrik Thege, an instructor in the Maitra Lab at MD Anderson, has been working to understand the novel mechanisms in pancreatic cancer biology, and the Foundation’s early support helped advance his career. He shared, “Over the last six months, the Seed Grant from the Hirshberg Foundation has allowed me to kickstart my independent research program, and I am so grateful for [the] continued support.”

Dr. Jimin Min will join Dr. Maitra at NYU where she plans to expand her work on aging and pancreatic cancer. Her research opens promising avenues for understanding how age-related biological factors influence disease progression and treatment response.

As we celebrate 20 years of Seed Grant awards, it is more crucial than ever to move Beyond the Seed: Bridge to Breakthrough. Private research has enabled these ideas to bloom from seeds into progress. We must ensure that research doesn’t just begin, but that it continues, evolves, and reaches the patients who need it most.

Donate today and help bridge the breakthroughs →

Learn more about our Seed Grant Program →

Since 1998, the Hirshberg Foundation has proudly partnered with CancerCare, a national nonprofit organization that provides free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer. Together, we work to address the often-overlooked challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, especially for patients facing financial hardship. Through this long-standing collaboration, the Foundation provides bi-annual grants that enable CancerCare to offer one-time financial assistance to low-income pancreatic cancer patients. In addition to these grants, patients have access to CancerCare’s full range of emotional, educational, and practical support services, creating a comprehensive safety net during one of life’s most difficult journeys.

The Financial Burden of Cancer Treatment For Low-Income Households

A pancreatic cancer diagnosis can turn a family’s world upside down, not only emotionally but financially. Even with insurance, the cost of treatment, transportation, and time away from work can become overwhelming. CancerCare shares that financial stress continues to be a major barrier to cancer treatment adherence. What you need to know: many patients have made treatment trade-offs due to finances; 1 in 5 delayed cancer treatment due to cost; and 1 in 20 discontinued treatments altogether.

The “financial toxicity” of cancer takes a toll on the quality of life and survival rates. That’s why programs like our CancerCare grant are so critical—they not only ease financial stress but also help patients stay on track with life-saving treatment. According to MD Anderson, the financial strain can extend well beyond active treatment:

• Patients who stop working may lose employer-provided health and life insurance
• The out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance often lead to lasting debt
• Insurance may not cover clinical trial treatments

Stories Of Strength: Real Patients, Real Impact

With the help of the Hirshberg Foundation’s grant, CancerCare was able to offer more than just financial assistance – they offered reassurance, connection, and tangible support to individuals facing extraordinary challenges. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, the Hirshberg Foundation continues to meet patients where they are, offering comfort, care, and crucial financial relief when it’s needed most.

“The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research and CancerCare have partnered since 1998, providing over $1 million to assist pancreatic cancer patients. This funding helps with essential needs and patients know they have not only CancerCare’s various services but also the Hirshberg Foundation providing crucial support. This collaboration illustrates the power of shared dedication in helping and providing hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer,” shares Vilmarie Rodriguez, Vice President of Patient Assistance and Community Engagement, CancerCare.

Together with CancerCare, we’re not just helping patients navigate cancer, we’re reminding them they’re not alone. Here are just a few of the individuals whose lives were touched by this program:

2024 Program Impact

Thanks to our generous donors and the tireless support of our community, we brought much-needed relief to patients across the country and served 126 low-income pancreatic cancer patients in 2024. This grant continues to ease the financial strain that often accompanies a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, helping patients meet basic needs and focus on healing. CancerCare was once again able to serve a diverse population of individuals affected by this disease.

Last year, the program supported patients in 31 states, with the highest number of recipients in Florida, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, and New Jersey. The majority of patients served were between the ages of 41-64 (78%) and 65 and older (45%). Grants were distributed across a wide range of communities, with 38% of recipients identifying as African American, 34% as White, and 15.5% as Hispanic.

Transportation assistance remained the most urgent need for clients, with 50% of grant funds used to cover the cost of traveling to and from treatment. Co-payments and medical expenses followed, accounting for 28% of the distributed funds. The remaining financial assistance grants were applied to home care services (22%) and other essential needs to help alleviate the burden of treatment and daily living.

Our CancerCare Grant

To date, the Hirshberg Foundation has provided nearly $1.3 million for this patient program, which offers limited financial assistance associated with transportation to and from treatment, pain medication, childcare, home care, and beyond. Funds are provided to low-income patients, for whom it has been a vital resource over the years. Patients and families can learn more about eligibility and program information today.

CancerCare also offers a wealth of other resources free of charge including support groups, educational workshops, co-payment assistance, and case management. Counseling is available in English and Spanish and centers on the emotional and practical challenges that arise from cancer.

Patients and families are not alone in this journey. We are here to help guide you through the initial steps of educating yourself and your family about this disease.