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Advocates join together to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer

by Mary Ruth — last modified Jul 05, 2012 05:04 PM

When scientists and advocates join forces, good things can happen. Dr. Channing Der, Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Pharmacology and UNC Lineberger faculty member, and Lori Matteson, a Raleigh pancreatic cancer survivor and advocate, joined over 600 other pancreatic cancer advocates and family members on a visit to Washington, DC.
Advocates join together to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer advocates and family members joined together to visit Washington, DC.

The June 25-26 Advocacy Days sponsored by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, brought together pancreatic cancer patients and family members and scientists to the halls of Congress to urge their support for the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act. (S.362/H.R. 733) Dr. Der has received research funding from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a nonprofit organization that through research grants, patient support, community outreach and advocacy are focused on a cure for pancreatic cancer.  His research is centered on the identification and development of pharmacologic approaches for correcting the defect in the KRAS oncogene found mutated in nearly all pancreatic cancers.  He is also on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Lustgarten Foundation, the second major US foundation focused entirely on pancreatic cancer research.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the driving force to get the Act to the floors of the Senate and House. This year marked the sixth year of their efforts. The Act calls for a strategic plan to address pancreatic cancer, fund pilot research projects, create pancreatic cancer centers of excellence and to increase awareness of the disease among physicians and the public.

Dr. Der says, “It was a remarkable event to participate in. I was really inspired by Lori and her fellow NC advocates. The interaction with survivors was very touching and motivating. Their passion, drive and dedication are amazing, and their appreciation and support for research was also incredible. This group is determined, with the goal of doubling the pancreatic cancer survival rate by 2020.”

Lori Matteson, explains, “It is my hope that our efforts will result in the passing of critical legislation that will bring the focus that this devastating disease needs. Only 6 percent of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive for more than five years.  The survival rates for pancreatic cancer have not improved significantly over the past 40 years, and there are no early detection tools or effective treatments. 

“Somehow I have defied the odds, and I am still here 8 years after my pancreatic cancer diagnosis.  As a survivor, I feel it is my duty to speak for those who could not be in DC, for so many who have not survived, and for those who WILL NOT survive in the future---unless a change is made.”

She says, “For me, the most memorable part of the experience was seeing the waves of purple-clad advocates hitting “the Hill,” like a wave of change coming over Washington.”

Learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and their efforts.

CAN YOU HAVE IT ALL?

By mchurt | Posted on: November 1, 2011 at 5:42 pm | Posted in carolina women's center

Career panel participants - Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

On Thursday, October 27, the Carolina Women’s Center, University Career Services and SYNC: Sophomore Year Navigating Carolina hosted Having (and balancing) it all:  a panel about achieving career goals and work/life balance.  We were honored to have with us several distinguished panelists:  Etta Pisano, Linda Butler, Channing Der, and Valerie Ashby.  We were very fortunate that Julia Sprunt Grumbles, a long-time friend of the CWC and our work and a phenomenally successful powerhouse, was willing to moderate the session.

I think it’s safe to say that most people are challenged by trying to succeed in their career and feel fully present in their life outside of work.  However, a substantial amount of research shows that this challenge disproportionately impacts women and that we feel extra pressure in this regard.

I’ll write more about this event in our Fall newsletter – watch for it in December!!

In the meantime – just a few nuggets:

  • All our panelists stressed the importance of having mentors – multiple mentors – and asking your mentors for help and strategic advice.
  •  Give back by mentoring others.
  • You can’t do everything well.  Do the best you can, don’t be a perfectionist, delegate when possible, and don’t self-flagellate – it’s a waste of time.
  • Stand up for yourself.  You can be both assertive and nice.
  • You can have it all – you just usually can’t have it all at once.

In the weeks before this event, one of my colleagues noted her displeasure with the term work-life balance, as it implies that life happens outside of work and work is not part of life.  I don’t disagree with this critique.  But/and, I am the poster child for the inability to prioritize my own needs and my multiple other interests with the joys and challenges of my job and with what I find is the significant amount of time required to do my job the way I think it needs to be done.   This panel gave me a lot to think about.

Thanks to Ashley Fogle, Elissa Zellinger, and Leah Josephson, who each helped make this panel a success.