As this year comes to close, there is so much that we are thankful for, from reuniting in person at our Fall events, to our full roster of Seed Grants to a new year of possibility. It has been a busy and fulfilling year, and we are so grateful for our pancreatic cancer community.
The American Pancreatic Association (APA) Meeting
As a longtime supporter of the American Pancreatic Association (APA), we are honored to host the Hirshberg Opening Symposium each year, and especially grateful to return to Miami this November to attend in person. This annual meeting brings together an international group of clinicians and scientists to discuss the latest research results and the best standards for treatment of pancreatic diseases. Each year we award the best abstracts, which are then published in the journal Pancreas. This year’s awardees are Marta Sans, PhD, for her work to understand the progression on pancreatic cysts, and Gregor Werba MD, for his research into chemotherapy and T-cells. We applaud these young researchers and know that their efforts are driving us towards better treatment options.
Seed Grants
We have returned to a full roster of Seed Grant awardees for 2021 and these 8 projects are working to advance pancreatic cancer research and improve patient outcomes. This year’s projects range from understanding the tumor stroma in order to better design targeted treatment options, to analyzing how obesity impacts the development of pancreatic cancer in acinar and ductal cell derived tumors. One award will connect research from Oregon and Israel to form a consortium, allowing institutions to share data, create multi-institutional clinical trials and collectively learn how best to treat this disease. Collaboration and cooperation is the key to helping us conquer this disease, and that is what we are funding.
It is thanks to your support that we are able to make these advancements.
An Amazing Events Season!
The Fall was filled with excitement, and two events back-to-back! We united generations across the nation to make a difference, raise awareness and fund pancreatic cancer research.
Halloween marked the 24th Annual LA Cancer Challenge Walk/Run at UCLA and across the nation. Thanks to our community of patients, families, friends, and sponsors, we have raised over $522,000. We had participants from 33 states and 4 countries! Every dollar raised will advance research, and every step taken to cross the finish line is a step closer to a cure. We look forward to another extraordinary year as we celebrate 25 years of the LA Cancer Challenge in 2022!
The weekend after the LACC, our Hirshberg Training Team took to the streets to run the LA Marathon. On Sunday, November 7th, after a year of delays, every single one of our 27 HTT members crossed the finish line and helped raise over $125,000! We had 10 runners complete their very first marathon.
Want to cross the finish line yourself? Our Hirshberg Training Team is already gearing up for the 2022 LA Marathon and you can join them! Register today for personalized training from wherever you are, Put your sweat, your time and your dollars towards making a difference for all those facing pancreatic cancer.
Run the 2022 LA Marathon with the Hirshberg Training Team, Sunday, March 20, 2022
Our Patient & Family Education Symposium Returns in 2022
As we look toward the year to come, we are optimistic that we will be able to safely gather again for our Symposium at UCLA on April 23, 2022. Providing both an in-person and virtual opportunity to gather, learn from one another and create bonds through a shared experience, our Symposium is a keystone of the work we do. Connecting patients, families and researchers is an honor, we hope that you’ll join us on April 23rd.
Together we are driving research towards a cure while supporting all patients and families facing pancreatic cancer. The work we do is made possible thanks to your support.