During his Battle with the Disease, Pausch was an Amazing Advocate for

             Increasing Funding for Pancreatic Cancer Research



    EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 25 /EMWNews/ -- The Pancreatic Cancer

Action Network (http://www.pancan.org), the only national organization

creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support,

community outreach and advocacy for a cure, is deeply saddened by the loss

of Carnegie Mellon University Professor Dr. Randy Pausch. During his nearly

two year battle with pancreatic cancer, he helped raise awareness of the

disease and the urgent need for additional funding for pancreatic cancer

research.



    "The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network offers its condolences to the

Pausch family and all who were inspired by his life and 'last lecture',"

stated President and CEO, Julie Fleshman. "Our organization is eternally

grateful for his advocacy efforts and we will continue to carry his message

forward as we fight this terrible disease."



    Dr. Pausch gave a face to pancreatic cancer, the most under-recognized

of all leading cancer killers, by speaking out publicly. In March, he

testified on behalf of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to the U.S.

House of Representative's Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Labor,

Health and Human Services, Education Related Agencies. In his powerful and

emotional testimony he reiterated the urgent to need increase federal

funding for pancreatic cancer research and said, "People in research labs

can do miraculous things if they're given the resources to do their jobs,"

a point he continued to make in a public service announcement for the

organization.



    Current federal funding for pancreatic cancer research is fatally slow.

To address this disparity the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, joined by

Dr. Pausch in January 2008, launched Raise the Cure, an unprecedented

initiative that combines a commitment to raise $25 million in private

funding with a call for the federal government to devote more attention and

resources to finding a cure and treatments for pancreatic cancer. The

federal component of the plan, called The National Plan to Advance

Pancreatic Cancer Research, was developed by the organization's esteemed

Scientific Advisory Board, and is a detailed blueprint of the research and

federal resources required to make true inroads in this disease.



    "Dr. Pausch raised public awareness and visibility on Capitol Hill that

is unparalleled," added Fleshman. "He has helped change the course of

history for this disease and blazed a new trail for our advocates and

volunteers to carry his legacy forward."



    To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, visit

http://www.pancan.org.

    About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network



    The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only national organization

creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support,

community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization raises money

for direct private funding of research -- and advocates for more aggressive

federal research funding of medical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis

and treatment of pancreatic cancer.



    The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network fills the void of information and

options by giving patients and caregivers reliable, personalized

information they need to make informed decisions. We create a sense of hope

and community so no one has to face pancreatic cancer alone. The

organization helps support individuals and communities all across the

country work together to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for

pancreatic cancer.








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Julie Fleshman

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