Spring has arrived, and with this new season, we’re excited to share the progress we’ve made in 2024! This year began with positive news from the American Cancer Society. The 5-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer increased to 13%, continuing an upward trend over the last few years. This is a positive indicator for patients battling pancreatic cancer today, and we’re eager to see that number skyrocket. This news, along with the announcement of our upcoming Symposium for survivors & families and the most recent research updates, all demonstrate how your support leads to real results. We look forward to taking big strides forward this year, and we are grateful for your continued dedication.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases
This month the Hirshberg Foundation celebrated opening a beautiful new location for the Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases. Agi’s vision for this center was to offer patients a place to receive care from top-notch medical professionals collaborating in one location. This has become a beacon of hope and truly groundbreaking for patient care. The new, warm, and welcoming space allows more patients to be seen by their entire medical team in one location with the most advanced treatment options. Under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Timonthy Donahue, the center is providing the very best care for our survivors as they navigate a diagnosis. This is all possible thanks to the continued generosity of our community.
Research Updates from our UCLA Labs
Over the years, we have deepened our understanding of pancreatic cancer thanks to the work of dedicated researchers from our Seed Grant Program, labs at UCLA, and Tissue Bank. Year-round, these investigators advance research in the global scientific community, and more recently, they have shared updates in early detection, genetics, and pathology.
Dr. Guido Eibl and Hirshberg Scientific Advisory Chair, Dr. Miklos Sahin-Toth lead two of our laboratories at UCLA. The collaboration between the Hirshberg Translation Laboratory and the Sahin-Toth Laboratory is central to our work on campus. We invite you to review their publications – this is how your donation impacts science.
Additionally, Dr. Nelson Yee, a 2017 Seed Grant recipient, continues to make progress with his study on biomarkers for early detection. We hope you will take a moment to learn more about his project, and we look forward to sharing more updates in the future! Finally, we’re thrilled to share a new video about our UCLA Pancreas Tissue Bank. Established in 2005, the Tissue Bank is led by David Dawson, M.D., Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The Tissue Bank is a vital resource for the research community and a shining example of collaboration.
The 18th Annual Symposium is Coming Up
The Hirshberg Foundation invites patients, caregivers, and families to join us, either in-person or virtually, for a day of learning and connecting at the 18th Annual Symposium on Pancreatic Cancer. In addition to our Survivor and Caregiver Panel, this year’s topics will include Pancreatic Enzyme Education, Genetic Testing for Pancreatic Cancer, PRECEDE: Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Consortium, and Improving Pancreatic Cancer Patient Care: Canopy Cancer Collective. This invaluable event brings together patients and families, medical professionals, and scientific researchers in an intimate space where they may learn from one another. Support the symposium with a donation and help us continue to offer this event free of charge to patients, caregivers, and families.
Registration for Tour De Pier is Open
The 12th Annual Tour de Pier event returns to Manhattan Beach on Sunday, May 19th. If you haven’t participated in this event, you’re missing out! We’re bringing stationary cycling back to the beautiful scenic views of the Manhattan Beach Pier, where you’ll also enjoy an expo, entertainment, event swag, and, most importantly, a community committed to fighting cancer. Be a hero and make an impact on families facing pancreatic cancer today. Join us as we ride for hope, ride for love, and ride for a cure on May 19th. Watch our “We Can Be Heroes” Video and register today!
HTT Recap
This past St Patrick’s Day the 35 members of the Hirshberg Training Team culminated their months long training schedule to complete the LA Marathon or Charity Half Marathon. In addition to training, each participant committed to raising $1000 for our Foundation and far surpassed their team goal by raising more than $155,000. As an Official Charity Partner of the LA Marathon, we hosted our beloved course support station, the Purple People Party, at a new location in Beverly Hills. Over 100 volunteers cheered, danced, and passed out treats to the thousands of runners while raising awareness for our cause.
2024 Upcoming Events
Symposium – Saturday, April 13, 2024
Tour de Pier – Sunday, May 19, 2024
LA Cancer Challenge – Sunday, October 27, 2024