Summer is here and we’re excited to share that each of our signature fundraising events have launched with in-person and virtual dates throughout the fall! Summer started strong as we kicked off National Cancer Survivor’s Month, a notable moment for our community to share supportive Messages of Hope for patients. In addition, applications for the Seed Grant Program are being accepted and reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Board and we’re happy to share a career progress update from a past awardee. Each of our programs benefiting research and patients has a positive impact on our community. Your participation makes a difference whether you make a donation, join us for a Patient & Family Webinar or register for an event to increase awareness, raise funds and encourage healthy living. We hope you will take this opportunity to get involved and champion the fight to cure pancreatic cancer in 2021!
National Cancer Survivors Month Spreads Hope
In celebration of National Cancer Survivors Month we shared incredible stories from Steve, Laura and Roberta, all pancreatic cancer survivors with a common goal to use their experiences to raise awareness. Concurrently, our Messages of Hope campaign invited both supporters and survivors to express words of encouragement, support and gratitude. Ruth, a 23-year survivor expressed her joy of being cancer free and impressed the importance of testing to be proactive and stay healthy. Kay, a 1-year survivor, thanked the doctors, researchers and caregivers who support patients throughout their cancer journey. Joanne, a supporter, shared her faith in every new day bringing a chance for hope, treatments and a cure. Together, we will continue to celebrate every milestone reached and every challenge overcome by patients. We shared extraordinary stories and reminded the world that pancreatic cancer patients and families are fighters.
Registration Is Open For Upcoming Signature Events!
Our tradition of increasing awareness, raising funds and encouraging healthy living is building momentum as all of our favorite Hirshberg events return this Fall! Hirshberg Foundation events help fund research, educate the public about pancreatic cancer and provide an opportunity to honor our loved ones as we unite as a community. Register for one of our signature events to participate in-person or virtually!
Tour de Pier, Sunday, September 12, 2021
The Tour de Pier returns to the Manhattan Beach Strand on Sunday, September 12th. Our award-winning charity event brings stationary cycling outdoors with a beautiful ocean view. Whether you register as an in-person rider or tune in to our immersive livestream, you’ll help make a difference for all those facing cancer.
24th Annual LA Cancer Challenge 5K Walk/Run, Sunday, October 31, 2021
We also look forward to reuniting with our LA Cancer Challenge family on October 31st, so get those dazzling costumes ready to walk, run or stroll this Halloween! It’s sure to be a memorable family-friendly event for everyone joining us in-person at UCLA and for our virtual participants across the country.
Hirshberg Training Team 2021 at the LA Marathon, Sunday, November 7, 2021
If you’re ready for an exciting challenge and want to return to a steady fitness routine, join the Hirshberg Training Team and start training for the LA Marathon on November 7th – during National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Many of our runners have been preparing for this event for over a year and are ready to honor loved ones and cross the finish line.
Registration is open for every event so save these dates on your calendar and register today!
Seed Grant Program Gives Researcher a Career Boost
Our Seed Grant Program is designed to invest in young researchers with the aim of aiding their careers in pancreatic cancer and driving innovative, collaborative research projects. Our investment supports early discoveries and helps pave the way for a career in pancreatic cancer research. A 2018 Seed Grant awardee, Dr. Kathleen DelGiorno is working to understand the initiating events that lead to tumor progression. Our funding allowed Dr. DelGiorno to publish extensively, making her a more attractive research candidate and helping her secure an Assistant Professorship at Vanderbilt University. As she wrote to us, “Your generous funding has allowed me to be very productive. Thank you so much for launching my career!” Dr. DelGiorno’s trajectory is emblematic of what our Seed Grant program aims to achieve, and it is all made possible thanks to your support.
New Clinical Trials Info & Patient Tools
In spring, we highlighted Clinical Trial Awareness Month by sharing new information and resources on this complex topic. When patients and families learn all of the treatment options available to them, they can develop a clear understanding of the benefits of new and emerging treatments and make informed decisions. Today, over 285 trials across the country are listed on the NIH website, all are actively recruiting and taking action by attacking this disease from every angle. Learn more about the process, phases, safety protocols and how to find a trial on our clinical trials webpage.
A cornerstone of our commitment to the pancreatic cancer community is to provide resources for patients, caregivers and loved ones. We continue to deliver on that promise through our ever evolving library of Patient Tools. From a resource guide for newly diagnosed patients to information on the financial costs of cancer to a new podcast from long-term survivor Roberta Luna, we are working to tackle the topics that impact our community. If you would like us to address a particular issue, please let us know.
Our research, programs, and services are made possible thanks to your support. Every donation has a positive impact on our pancreatic cancer community.