Mission: Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society is a national charity dedicated to both increasing survival and improving the quality of life for every Canadian diagnosed with pancreatic cancer through awareness raising, education, support and research.
Vision: “A world where surviving pancreatic cancer is expected”.
In June 2006, Craig Schurman Condon, started to feel unwell, experiencing acid reflux, white stool, dark urine and yellowish skin. Concerned, he visited his physician. His physician suspected Hepatitis A. When this came back negative, his physician was stumped. This is where Craig’s pancreatic cancer journey began.
In July 2006, Craig was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. By September, he had passed away, at the age of 63, eight weeks from diagnosis.
In 2007, ‘Craig’s Cause’ was established as a non profit organization, in his memory. The goal was to create awareness and to fund research. In 2012 ‘Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society’ was rebranded and received its national charitable business number.
Since its inception, this grassroots organization has grown into a national charity recognized for our national awareness campaigns and events, our education and support programs and for our support of a diversified research portfolio.
We are proud of our collaboration with international, national and provincial boards, health care organizations, facilities and professionals, and a variety of other cancer organizations and research institutes. These partnerships and fundraising efforts have raised over $2,000,000 in research funding alone.
Lastly, Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society has distinguished itself from so many other charitable organizations by maintaining our mission to donate 100% of all charitable donations to awareness, education, patient support and research programs.
The Board of Directors is our governing body and is responsible for ensuring that the Society operates in accordance with its by-laws and the Not-For-Profit Corporations Act and regulations.
Interested in helping us beat Pancreatic Cancer? Work with us!
Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society's Medical Advisory Committee has professionals from various healthcare disciplines and their critical contributions support many of our programs within our four pillars.
Dr. Ramjeesingh moved to Halifax in 2015, having originally completed his MD/Ph.D in Toronto before completing residency and medical oncology training in Kingston, ON. Dr. Ramjeesingh has focused his clinical practice on the treatment of breast cancer and hepatopancreobiliary (HPB) tumors which includes pancreatic cancer. His research activities and interests are in the fields of Health service delivery, and translational research in Oncology. He has a passion for oncology
education of residents and medical students, having become a faulty member foroncologyeducation.com.
He has been awarded the Department of Medicine Research Excellent award in 2017 and the DOM Excellence in Medical Education award in 2018. Why for Pancreatic Cancer Involvement: Nova Scotia has historically had some of the poorest outcomes for survival of pancreatic cancer. When he moved to Nova Scotia, no one could answer his questions about why survival was so poor when compared to other provinces. He began to notice gaps in the process of diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer and felt the need to take up this cause; to improve where he can for pancreatic cancer patients in the province.
Dr. Colwell is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Dalhousie University. He has been involved in clinical research that has led to several publications including the New England Journal of Medicine. He is a member of the GI, Breast and sarcoma tumor site groups. He is Chair of the Gastrointestinal Tumor Site Group. He is President of the Canadian Association of Medical Oncology Committee, (CAMO). He is a member of NSHA Drugs and Therapeutics Committee and chair the Oncology Therapeutics Subcommittee for that same group. He has an interest in Biosimilars, GI, and breast cancers, and resident education.
Melanie was a graduate of the Dalhousie Pharmacy Program in 2015 and went on to complete her hospital pharmacy residency at the Moncton Hospital in 2016.
Melanie joined Nova Scotia Health in 2017 and began a clinical practice in general cardiology and cardiovascular surgery in the Intensive Care Unit. She later established a clinical practice in inpatient medical and gynaecology oncology before joining the Drug Evaluation Unit in 2021.
Melanie is a dedicated individual with a passion for excellent patient care. She enjoys educating patients on their medication promoting patient education.
Dr. Urquhart’s primary research interests relate to understanding and optimizing the movement of evidence-based innovations into clinical practice as well as the interface between evidence-based medicine and policy.
Robin uses multiple methods in her research, including linked administrative health data, systematic reviews, and case study and qualitative methods.
The ultimate aim of her work is to improve our ability to implement and sustain innovations that improve the organization, delivery, and outcomes of cancer care.
Dr. Boudreau investigates how human natural killer cell immunogenetics program immune responsiveness to cancer and infectious diseases. She uses bioinformatics, humanized in vivo models, cell-signal analysis, and highly-parametric flow cytometry to understand how genetic variation creates diversity in human immune potentials.
Her interdisciplinary and collaborative work aims to translate research findings into precision therapies.
Dr. Mark Walsh is a surgeon in the General Surgery department at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. He is a Hepatobiliary / Pancreatic / Transplant Surgeon with a passion to treat and support patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Adam Nelson is a PhD. candidate in Dr. Brent Johnston’s lab at Dalhousie University. His research focuses on new combination therapies for pancreatic cancer using immunotherapy and oncolytic viruses, viruses that only target cancer cells. He hopes that his combination therapy will provide a safe and effective alternative therapy for patients suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Popi Kasvis is a Clinical Nutritionist/Dietitian at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, working within the multidisciplinary Cancer Rehabilitation Program (CAREPRO).
Briefly, her clinical duties include:
1) assessing patients for the presence of malnutrition and muscle loss,
2) creating a nutritional treatment plan to optimize nutritional status, and
3) managing nutrition impact symptoms.
Popi received a PhD in the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology at Concordia University in Montreal. Her research is focused on the effect of early diet and exercise interventions on the health-related quality of life of patients with pancreatic cancer, undergoing both curative and palliative treatments. Popi has a keen interest in the use of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy as a way to improve the nutritional status and overall wellbeing of patients living with pancreatic cancer.
Mike Moser is a hepatobiliary surgeon originally from Edmonton, who trained in London, Ontario, and now practices in Saskatoon.
He has a keen clinical and research interest in the destruction of pancreas and liver cancers, a process known as ablation. Although Dr. Moser enjoys the challenge of long and complex operations, he is very open to new, non-surgical ablation technologies such as MicroWave Ablation and NanoKnife that are less disruptive to patients than a major operation.\
Dr Moser is an associate professor in the Department of Surgery, College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, and an associate member of the university's Department of Pharmacy and Nutrition, and Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Carol Cremin is a Canadian Certified Genetic Counsellor at BC Cancer and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the UBC Faculty of Medicine. She has over fifteen years of clinical, research and teaching experience specializing in cancer genetics. She served for six years on the Board of the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors, including a term as president of this national association (2011). She is currently a member of the national certification board (2020-2024) which is committed to assessing and maintaining competencies, knowledge and skills of Genetic Counsellors in Canada.
In June of 2016, Carol joined a special research arm of the BC Cancer’s Hereditary Cancer Program that focuses on improving the detection and management of hereditary pancreatic cancer families in BC. This team’s research findings catalyzed change to provincial genetic testing criteria making clinical germline testing available for all referred patients with pancreatic cancer. In this role, she is leading initiatives that will streamline point-of-care hereditary cancer testing in the province.
A strong proponent of increasing genetic literacy, Carol is dedicated to ensuring both patients and health care providers have the knowledge and tools to be empowered with respect to genetic information
Dr. Masoom Haider is a radiologist and clinician scientist at the University of Toronto in the Joint Department of Medical Imaging. His research focuses on image biomarker validation using multiparametric MRI and CT technologies. His team uses machine learning and artificial intelligence methods combined with imaging biomarkers to develop predictive and prognostic radiomics signatures for pelvic cancers, including prostate, pancreas, kidney and liver cancers.Dr. Haider is the imaging lead on national MRI trials in prostate cancer and has worked on guideline development for the use of multiparametric prostate MRI (mpMRI) for prostate cancer, namely the Pi-Rads standard. He holds a Chair in Artificial Intelligence, Imaging Biomarkers and Radiomics at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System. In the Joint Deptartment of Medical Imaging and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute he leads the AI, Radiomics and Oncologic Imaging Research Lab and collaborates with oncologists, computer scientists, engineers, radiologists and biomedical physicists.Dr. Haider has held peer-reviewed grants from Prostate Cancer Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, Cancer Care Ontario and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research for MRI-related prostate and pancreatic cancer research.
Our team at Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society is committed to improving pancreatic cancer patient outcomes and quality of life, working tirelessly to ensure our programs support this goal.
Stefanie Condon-Oldreive has been an elementary school teacher with the Halifax Regional Municipality for well over 20 years. In 2006, she established Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society after her father, Craig Condon, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away just 8 weeks later at the age of 63.
Stefanie serves as the Founder and Director of Craig's Cause. She is involved in all areas of the Society and has brought in millions of dollars to help pancreatic cancer patients, their families, and their friends through research as well as various programs such as Support4Caregivers™, Peers with Pancreatic Cancer™, and Patient Financial Support Grants™. In 2021, Stefanie worked with the Canadian Association of General Surgeons to hold the first and only national accredited conference dedicated to pancreatic cancer, the National Pancreas Conference. This event brought healthcare professionals together from across Canada and abroad, to learn, discuss, and collaborate in the field of pancreatic cancer.
To help bring awareness, Stefanie has led her team in hosting Kicking PancreAS™ 5K across the country. The event is a fun run/walk for all ages and abilities that shines some light on a dark subject. She spends time fighting for better care for pancreatic cancer patients and doing the biggest job of all, supporting patients and caregivers one-on-one.
"Losing my father to pancreatic cancer, so suddenly, was devastating. What was even more frustrating was the lack of information and awareness available to Canadians. After dad’s passing, I promised myself that others would not feel the isolation that we did from support and knowledge about this disease." -Stefanie
Helen came to Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society in the fall of 2020 from the Arts Admin side of the non-profit world. Specializing in communications, events, marketing and operations, she has over twenty years experience doing whatever needs to be done to make the charity run smoothly.
Like many, before working for us, Helen knew very little about pancreatic cancer. Now, she is motivated to spread the word and make sure everyone knows of this disease. From risks & symptoms, to what to discuss with your doctor, to how you can help and everything in between.
Jessica is a PhD candidate in the Chemistry Department at Dalhousie University where her research focuses on optimizing front-end sample preparation strategies for proteome analysis by mass spectrometry. She was inspired to get involved with Craig’s Cause after participating in the 2019 Walk/Bike/Run awareness event. Jessica now helps facilitate monthly online Support4Caregivers meetings and is gaining involvement with the Clinical Trial Finder program.
Jessica saw the untimely passing of her two uncles, Doug and Jim from pancreatic cancer, but never imagined it would hit any closer to home. In the Fall of 2018, her Dad was diagnosed with stage IV. She and her family were incredibly fortunate to share the following year together, but Greg lost his hard-fought battle in the Fall of 2019. All three of these patients were victims of the late diagnosis that is often associated with pancreatic cancer, which motivates Jessica to contribute to the awareness and supportive efforts of Craig’s Cause in hopes of improving the outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients in the future.
Erin joined Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society in the Fall of 2022 coming from the nursing world. She previously worked as a nurse in the operating room and has always enjoyed helping others and advocating for those in challenging situations.
Erin hopes to help those affected by pancreatic cancer and provide support to those in need through education, connection and awareness.
Chloe graduated from Dalhousie University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences. She completed her Honours project looking at the immunologic mechanisms of pancreatic cancer. In her Masters of degree, she will explore the relationship between pancreatic cancer and exercise.
Chloe lost her grandfather to pancreatic cancer in October 2018 and her aunt in December 2019. She joined Craig's Cause to increase awareness about pancreatic cancer and support those affected by this terrible disease.
Riley Arseneau (she/her) is a second year PhD student investigating the correlations between genetics, natural killer cells, and pancreatic cancer at Dalhousie University. Riley joined our team early in her program, seeking to contribute to the fight against pancreatic cancer beyond the lab.
Stacy works full time providing administrative support in education. She takes pride in building relationships and helping others. Stacy was excited when approached with the opportunity to offer administrative support to Craig's Cause in January 2024. After losing several close family members to cancer, she was looking for a way to learn more about the disease and help give back.
Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society believes that by bringing the right people together, we will increase survival rates and improve the quality of life for all Canadians diagnosed.
Businesses and industry partners are key to us achieving these goals. Through unrestricted educational grants, corporate support and collaborations we will eventually defeat pancreatic cancer.
We appreciate your continued support!
For all press inquiries contact
Stefanie Condon-Oldreive
Founder / Director
[email protected]
902.222.4612
Helen Wright
Director of Marketing & Communications
[email protected]
902.219.8443
For general inquires email [email protected] or call 1.877.212.9582
March
December 18th, 2023
Onslow family raises $75,000 for fight against pancreatic cancer
November 28th, 2023
Giving Tuesday: Krista DuChene lends support to pancreatic cancer run
October 21st, 2023
The Weekend Morning Show (Manitoba) with Nadia Kidwai
September 28th, 2023
Motivate to Move: Kicking PancreAS - With Stefanie Condon-Oldreive and Jos Eijkelestam
September 22nd, 2023
"To bring this kind of awareness out, it feels good," Kicking PancreAS run, walk Saturday
September 17th, 2023
Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society looks to give cancer the boot
May 9, 2023
Kicking PancreAS run/walk in Red Deer on June 3
February 25, 2023
Kicking Pancreas Panceatic Cancer Charity Returning to Charlottetown April 1
October 4th, 2022
Craig's Cause Shines Light on Pancreatic Cancer in Red Deer
September 28th, 2022
Red Deer Pancreatic Cancer Research Fundraiser, Support Derailed by Hurricane Fiona - Red Deer Advocate
July 19th, 2022
National charity hopes to bridge gap in pancreatic cancer care with new accredited program
November 30th, 2021
The Rounds Launches Pancreatic Cancer Accredited Program for Family Physicians
November 9th, 2021
2021 Cancer Cancer Statistics Report Predicts an 11.67% Increase in Incidences of Pancreatic Cancer
November 8th, 2021
Canadian Cancer Statistics Report Projects an 11% Increase in Pancreatic Cancer Incidences
November 8th, 2021
Canadian Cancer Statistics Report Projects an 11% Increase in Pancreatic Cancer Incidences
November 1st, 2021
4 Years After Losing Her Best Friend, Mari Demands Better for Pancreatic Cancer During November's Awareness Month
November 1st, 2021
18 Years After Losing His Father, Paul Demands Better for Pancreatic Cancer During November's Awareness Month
September 14th, 2021
Annual Bike Tour Raises $10,000.00 for Pancreatic Cancer Research and Awareness
February 10th, 2021
Delayed Pancreatic Cancer Diagnoses Mean Less Time With Loved Ones
November 19th, 2020
Founder talks World Pancreatic Cancer Day
November 19th, 2020
Pancreatic cancer survivor, advocates renew call for life-sustaining drug not available in Canada
November 17, 2020
Group advocating for pancreatic cancer drug to be used in Canada
October 25, 2020
New Brunswick’s annual walk for pancreatic cancer goes virtual