Susan Lamar of Rocky Mount (left in the picture) and Lori Matteson of Raleigh (right in the picture) are strong voices for pancreatic cancer. They recently participated in a Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Advocacy meeting in Washington, DC when they and others visited Congressional representatives to discuss the urgent need for awareness of and funds for pancreatic cancer research.

Susan and her husband Wardlaw are members of UNC Lineberger's Board of Visitors. She is being treated for her pancreatic cancer at UNC by Drs. HJ Kim, Richard Goldberg and Joel Tepper. Lori’s doctors are Drs. Goldberg, Sanoff, and Tepper.

Susan was one of the patient voices in Raleigh last summer at the NC Legislative news conference announcing the establishment of the University Cancer Research Fund. She leads a committee of Rocky Mount citizens who are planning a local fundraiser for UNC Lineberger on October 4th called Paws for a Cause, a Dog Walk/Animal Parade.

Here is Susan’s moving summary of her advocacy experience on the Hill.

Advocacy for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

In mid March I postponed chemo treatment 3 days so that I could attend the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Advocacy meeting in Washington, DC. I was there representing our Raleigh-Durham affiliate chapter as an Advocacy Coordinator.  We were trained to help raise awareness and funds for research of this terrible disease.

What an honor to represent the local affiliate chapter for the national Advocacy Day! Lori Matteson was there also, as well as 3 others from around our state. I feel so fortunate that I am still here to help, as 75% of those diagnosed do not survive one year. It was wonderful meeting others - sons, daughters, husbands, wives, children, best friends, sisters, brothers, etc.- touched by Pancreatic Cancer. It isn't often that you make instant best friends.

I want you to know how well organized the Pancreatic Cancer  Action Network is. It is an organization made up of volunteers and capable staff members who are committed to making a difference. The training was superb. We learned so-o-o much. Lori and I are proud to be considered members of the "purple people".

The highlight of the Advocacy meeting was our visit to Capitol Hill March 11. Over 220 volunteers had a full day of appointments with our legislators. The 5 volunteers from NC visited 7 NC legislators' offices. Many others across our state responded to the request fro the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to call legislators throughout the day to make their voices heard. We created awareness, requested support for The National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Research, and asked for a minimum 9.5% increase in funding for the National Cancer Institute. Currently funding for Pancreatic Cancer is less than 2% of their budget, yet our cancer is so deadly. No advances have been made in early detection or treatment in 30 years. It is time to pay attention to a neglected disease now. How can anyone not care about cancer?!? Some of our legislators did.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network obtained many signatures on a letter in the House and Senate. Dr. Randy Pausch testified in Congress on March 13. Our work has just begun, but we feel we've made it to first base. I arrived home totally exhausted, but full of hope that our children will see PC become like breast cancer and prostate cancer - still serious, but more of a chronic disease than a killer.