Katie's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society

Katie's Cause is a chapter of the non-profit group Craig's Cause, which is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and aims to provide funding and support for pancreatic cancer research. This extension is developed in memory of Catherine Parsons who lost her battle to pancreatic cancer in October of 2003. As a person who calls this beautiful province home, I believe it is imperative that we collectively come together and become part of this group dedicated to sharing knowledge, experience, options, questions and answers to the people of this province suffering from this devastating disease.

This organization balances fundraising with patient advocacy and support. It is a place that patients and family members can find answers to the many questions that comes with such a diagnosis, as well develop a list of questions to ask your doctor. The website www.craigscause.ca is a wonderful place where you can go and share your experiences in our forum, speak to others who have also been touched by this disease or ask questions to specialists that deal with pancreatic cancer. Also there is information about anatomy, treatment options etc. that would be helpful to anyone who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

This organization is not only a means people can turn to when diagnosed, but it is also a non-profit organization which is actively fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer research that is ongoing in Canada. Every penny made through our fundraising goes directly to research efforts. It is important to note that currently less than one per cent of cancer funding goes towards pancreatic cancer research, yet pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers with less than five per cent of those diagnosed living longer than five years.

Developing Katie’s Cause in Newfoundland and Labrador is an important step for this province. At the time of her diagnosis, my Aunt Kate did not have these kinds of resources available to her; therefore many questions were left unanswered. After her short illness and passing, her family was left feeling the effects of this deadly and devastating cancer, with little to no information or support available to them. Now with the launch of this new chapter of Craig’s Cause, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have a place to turn so they can be knowledgeable about their illness and they can also find emotional support to help them fight through it.

I am the Newfoundland and Labrador representative for Katie's Cause and I would like to extend welcoming arms to any of you who would like to contact me and become involved in our organization. My contact information can be found through our website. I look forward to hearing from anyone with interest in becoming involved, or anyone seeking information or support.

Allison Hannam BNRN