Tuesday
Mar132012
Craig's Cause produces Canada's first Pancreatic Cancer Commercial
March 13, 2012
Craig's Cause Raises Awareness of Pancreatic Cancer in Canada
(Halifax) Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society is increasing awareness of pancreatic cancer with its release of the first pancreatic cancer awareness commercial in Canada. The commercial features four survivors of the disease, which is expected to take the lives of 3,900 Canadians this year.
"Year after year, pancreatic cancer remains under-publicized and yet it has the highest fatality rate of all cancers," said Craig's Cause founder Stefanie Condon-Oldrieve. "The first step toward beating this disease is awareness. With this commercial, we're trying to take that step."
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 4,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2012. Between four and six per cent of those patients will survive five years beyond diagnosis, compared to 62 per cent of all cancer patients. Yet, annually, pancreatic cancer receives less than 0.8 per cent of all cancer research funding in Canada.
"I am fortunate enough to have won my battle with pancreatic cancer," said Kelly Power, one of the pancreatic cancer survivors featured in the commercial. "But thousands of Canadians will not be as fortunate and I am so proud to be part of something that will finally bring to light the battles we've faced."
The commercial is being sent to broadcasters nationally and is also available for viewing on YouTube.
Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society was founded in 2006 in memory of Craig Schurman Condon, who lost his life to pancreatic cancer eight weeks after diagnosis. Its mission is to provide information and support to those with pancreatic cancer and their families, to create awareness of the disease and to raise research funds leading to earlier detection, better treatments and better quality of life for patients. For more information, please visit http://www.craigscause.ca.