More than 1,250 Americans are newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every day, an average of 56,770 per year. Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. This aggressive disease has already surpassed breast cancer in prevalence and is predicted to surpass colon cancer rates by 2020.
Despite the advancements in medical screenings and treatments, a pancreatic cancer diagnosis is often devastating for patients and families. According to the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients in the last 40 years have failed to improve substantially. Pancreatic cancer now has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers- only 9% survive more than five years.
With November marking National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, our team at Siler & Ingber is showing our support for the cause with a special social media initiative dedicated to raising funds and awareness for an incredible charity- the Lustgarten Foundation.
The Lustgarten Foundation has been dedicated to finding a cure for pancreatic cancer for over 20 years. As the world’s largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research, the Lustgarten Foundation stands as a strong advocate for pancreatic patients and their families. Their focus on prevention, new therapies, and earlier detection has led to some of the most notable discoveries in pancreatic cancer treatment and inspired hope among those who carry the deadly diagnosis.
The Lustgarten Foundation- Dedicated To Finding A Cure
In 1998, Marc Lustgarten, Cablevision Vice Chairman, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It took six months before Marc received his official diagnosis. Unfortunately, at that point, there were little to no treatment options left to save his life.
Pancreatic cancer has not always been at the forefront of cancer research. When Marc received his diagnosis more than 20 years ago, little was known about the disease and minimal funding was available for research. Noticing the gap, Marc, alongside Cablevision Chairman Charles F. Dolan and Chief Executive James L. Dolan, had a vision for a foundation that would fund the much-needed research to improve the survival rates for those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. When Marc died tragically of the disease in 1999, the Lustgarten Foundation continued on to honor his memory with more inspiration than ever before to find a cure.
The vision of the Lustgarten Foundation was shaped by Marc’s experience and the struggles millions of patients have faced worldwide after a delayed pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Their overall mission for finding a cure stems from three areas of focus:
- Funding scientific and clinical research related to pancreatic diagnosis, treatment, and prevention methods.
- Providing research information and clinical support services to patients, caregivers, and individuals at high risk.
- Increasing public awareness and hope for those dealing with this disease.
The Lustgarten Foundation has had a role in some of the most substantial advancements in the field of pancreatic cancer research. As a driving force, they have aided in the discovery of life-saving therapies, treatments, and screening methods. They are the only pancreatic cancer organization that contributes 100 percent of their donations directly to research to fight back against this deadly disease. But with tens of thousands of patients newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year, their mission and tireless efforts are far from over.
Siler & Ingber Joins The Fight For A Cure
Supporting survivors and finding a cure for pancreatic cancer is a cause that is near and dear to the hearts of our team at Siler & Ingber. As a firm that has been personally affected by the devastating outcomes of this disease, we are proud to be joining the Lustgarten Foundation this year in their mission to raise funding for this worthy cause.
From now until the end of November, every engagement we receive on all our social media pages will equal a $1 donation to the Lustgarten Foundation. This means every ‘Like’, every ‘Follow’, every ‘Share’, or every ‘Comment,’- all $1 to pancreatic cancer research.
In addition, the Lustgarten Foundation provides a number of other ways you can join the fight against pancreatic cancer, including:
- Fundraising Walks
- Hosting Local Events
- Volunteering
- Individual Fundraising Events
- Make a Donation
It only takes a few clicks to make a significant difference in the lives of a family directly impacted by pancreatic cancer. Join us this National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in reaching our goal by visiting and sharing our pages on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
For more information on how you can get involved, visit the Lustgarten Foundation website for stories, research news, and events.