Pancreatic Cancer Call to Action!

Throughout the past few years on this blog and website, I have heard from family members who are struggling to walk out this journey with their loved ones.  It is heart-wrenching to know that pancreatic cancer is still devastating lives today.  We feel weak and impotent against the ravages of this disease.  We would give anything to escape the heartache, but are helpless to stem the relentless advances of this vicious cancer.  Many ask what can be done...  Where is a better treatment?  When will there be a cure?  How do we survive this?

Today you can take a small step and begin to fight back.

Today you can let pancreatic cancer know its days are numbered.

Today is the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network National Call-In Day 2014.

Let your voice be heard.  There must be an increase in funding for medical research to fight this deadly cancer.  We are the voice of our loved ones.  While they are in the trenches using antiquated treatments, struggling hard against the odds, we must give voice to the fight.

When mom passed away, she was being given the same treatment used 20 years ago for pancreatic cancer.  20 years ago.  That is ancient medicine in today's technology driven world.  We need that break-through.  And one way to get it is to increase the support and funding for medical research.

There is a cure.  It is not too late for those in the fight.

I spent about 10 minutes this morning placing calls to my Congressmen in Texas.  Sharing our heart on this subject is vital.  Our Senators and Representative need to hear from families that are going thru this struggle.  They need to know it's personal, it's our heartbeat, it's our loved ones...

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network makes it easy to find your representatives.  Just click here to access your state's listings... Then make a short phone call...

Here are some easy Talking Points if you're not sure what to say when you call...

1)	Hello, my name is [FIRST] [LAST]. I am from [YOUR CITY & STATE] and am calling to support the nearly 500 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network volunteers who are on Capitol Hill today, June 17th.
2)	I'm calling to urge Senator [LAST NAME OF SENATOR] to support at least $5.26 billion in funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in FY15.
3)	I also ask that the senator support the inclusion of pancreatic cancer in the Department of Defense's Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP), and to ensure that the program receives at least $25 million in funding as it did last year.
4)	Finally, I want to urge the senator to show his/her support for these issues by joining the new Congressional Caucus on Deadliest Cancers chaired by Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ). Membership is open to both Senators and Representatives.
5)	You can learn more about this new caucus and the growing threat of deadly cancers like pancreatic cancer at a congressional lunch briefing this Thursday, June 19th at 12:00 noon in the Rayburn Office Building (Room 2218). I urge you and your health staff to attend.
6)	Please deliver my message to the senator. Thank you very much for your time.

To be honest, you don't need to use any of the talking points.  Just tell your story.  Share your fight.  Let them know this is so very, very personal... It's a small step in the journey, but can have profound long-reaching significance. 

Walking this Journey together... Graced to Fight alongside each and every one of you...

My Love,
            Jane