Looking To Support Trebek's Pancreatic Cancer Battle?
- Trebek has said he is overwhelmed with supportive mail
- Consider donating to pancreatic cancer causes, instead.
- MD Anderson’s Pancreatic Cancer Moonshot is seeking a blood test for early detection of the disesase
- Trebek has been a supporter and spokesperson for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN)
A Better Way to Show Support
There’s a better way to support Trebek — or any cancer patient you admire. And Heath Bettancourt, a New York pediatrician nailed it with his comment on the “Jeopardy!” Instagram post (below).
“Perhaps sending a gift to pancreatic cancer research would be a better way to show support to Alex,” Bettencourt commented. Others agreed and his comment got 274 likes.
So where should those looking to support Trebek — and pancreatic cancer causes — consider sending donations?
PanCAN: Patient and Research Support
In the U.S., the Pancreatic Action Network — known as PanCAN, supports patients diagnosed with the disease and has invested $126 million in scientific research and clinical initiatives.
Trebek is among their “army of volunteers” working with PanCAN to raise awareness. PanCAN sponsors “Know Your Tumor,” a precision medicine program that helps customize treatment. The organization also advocates for federal cancer research dollars — all while directly helping patients make informed treatment decisions.
The Moonshot: Hope For A Blood Test
The Pancreatic Cancer Moonshot research program at MD Anderson Cancer Center is working to develop a blood test for pancreatic cancer, a disease for which early diagnosis is crucial — yet notoriously difficult.
Dr. Anirban Maitra co-leader of the Pancreatic Cancer Moonshot at MD Anderson Cancer Center on the importance of early detection.
“By identifying abnormal blood-based cancer markers, called biomarkers, our intent is to detect the cancer before it's symptomatic,” says Dr. Anirban Maitra, the Moonshot’s co-leader.
These are efforts that are very hard to get funded through the National Cancer Institute,” Dr. Maitra adds. “So we are incredibly dependent on the support of concerned individuals … and we continue to look for their support at every possible level.”
Teen “Jeopardy!” champ, Avi Gupta, raised $200,000 for pancreatic cancer research at Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute in honor of Trebek.
Research Funding Slashed During Covid-19
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, cancer fundraising efforts have been hampered, causing decreases in research funding and patient support programs that could have a profound impact on patient outcomes in the future.
In recent years, the U.S. has seen cancer death rates drop by 2.2% the largest ever single-year drop, largely due to new developments in immunotherapy treatments for cancer patients. Without funding, the research behind these advances is stalled.
To make matters worse, in March, the President proposed cutting the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget from its current $39.1 billion to $34.4 billion a 12% cut. The proposal would also cut the National Cancer Institute (NCI)'s budget by $897 million a 15% cut from the current funding level of $6.1 billion.
At a time when cancer research is so crucial, cuts in cancer funding increase the need for gifts from individual donors.
So, consider Dr. Bettencourt’s advice. Now that Trebek’s mailbox is overflowing, those thinking of sending him a card or gift can better support his fight against stage 4 pancreatic cancer by supporting the organizations dedicated to helping Trebek — and others facing the disease – beat the odds.
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