As the year winds down and we reflect on all we’ve done this year, we look forward to 2025 with pride and hope. We began the year with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases at UCLA. In this bright and beautiful new space where, patients are seen with a holistic, whole-body approach that unites clinicians under one roof. We had an amazing year of events, from our Symposium for patients and caregivers to our outdoor stationary cycling event, the Tour de Pier, to our signature LA Cancer Challenge that kicks off our month of awareness in November. It has been a full and busy year that fills us with hope and reinvigorates us to boldly face 2025 with the mantra, “Never Give Up! The journey continues with an end in sight.”
Newly Designed Patient Resources and Spanish-Language Resources
We’ve redesigned the Patient & Caregivers section of our website to include more resources than ever. From our Where to Begin guide to expanded information for families, our website caringly guides patients and caregivers through a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Plus, we’ve translated crucial information into Spanish to help increase awareness in more communities. We’re here to support anyone facing pancreatic cancer and our Patient Services are always free of charge.
American Pancreatic Association (APA) Meeting & Hirshberg Symposium
Each year, the APA brings together an international group of researchers to discuss advances and opportunities in clinical and basic science research related to diseases of the pancreas, particularly pancreatic cancer. The Hirshberg Foundation hosts a Hirshberg Symposium to tackle emerging areas of study. This year’s panel, Targeting KRAS to Treat Pancreatic Cancer, will cover topics such as the current therapeutic landscape of KRAS inhibitors and new insights into the biology and therapeutic strategies for treating pancreas cancer. We look forward to sharing more updates from the APA and our Seed Grant awardees who are researching KRAS.
2024 Seed Grant Cohort Announced
Our Seed Grant Program continues to shine with our awardees receiving large grants from the NIH and NCI. This year, we’re proud to fund more research than ever, thanks to the success of our Tour de Pier and LA Cancer Challenge events and your generosity! With projects focused on early detection, better treatment options, and innovative new ways to tackle KRAS, this year’s cohort infuses the end of the year with hope. Since 2005, our Seed Grant Program has fostered an environment for research to bloom.
The 27th LA Cancer Challenge was an Incredible Success
In October, the 27th LA Cancer Challenge raised over $650,000, one of our most successful years to date, thanks to the fundraising efforts and participation of our LACC family! Joined by Honorary Starter and 9-year pancreatic cancer survivor, Tom Arai, we shared his incredible journey and inspired patients and families. We were also thrilled to give the Honorary Medical Chair title to three brilliant researchers, Drs. Timothy Donahue, Zev Wainberg & Caius Radu, who were awarded a transformative $4 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Together, we surpassed our fundraising goal, celebrated how far our community has come and the ways in which we’re moving forward.
As you prepare to make your tax-deductible year-end gift, the Hirshberg Foundation thanks you for being instrumental in driving research forward and giving countless patients and families the support services they need. Together, we have raised awareness across the country and around the globe because of your unwavering support.
