Dear Team Heather and Supporters,
We’re standing at a critical crossroads with Petition e-5186. Your incredible support has brought us to 829 signatures, each one a powerful call for action and a demand for fair access to clinical trials for pancreatic cancer patients across Canada. But here’s the tough reality: despite our best efforts, Mark Holland has not yet responded or authorized our petition to be presented in the House of Commons. With just two days left, we’re up against the clock. If he doesn’t step up, we’ll need to find another MP willing to take on this fight—a delay we can’t afford.
Let’s be honest—pancreatic cancer doesn’t give you the luxury of time. This disease has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer, stuck at around 10% for years. We’re not asking for the impossible here; we’re asking for a fair shot, for equal access to the clinical trials that could make all the difference. Right now, those opportunities are restricted to only four provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta. That means if you live in smaller provinces like Newfoundland and Labrador or Prince Edward Island, you’re effectively shut out from the possibility of cutting-edge treatments. It’s not just a gap in the system—it’s a failure that affects real people, real families, and real lives.
We know this fight well. Heather’s journey showed us firsthand the painful inequities in our healthcare system. We had to look beyond provincial borders, seek second opinions, and navigate a fractured system that too often leaves patients behind. This petition is about making sure no one else has to go through that. It’s about setting national guidelines that guarantee every Canadian, no matter their postal code, can access the same opportunities for clinical trials and innovative treatments. Because pancreatic cancer doesn’t discriminate, and our healthcare system shouldn’t either.
This isn’t just another piece of paper with signatures—it’s a collective plea for change. It’s hundreds of voices coming together to say, “We deserve better.” But right now, we’re up against silence from the very people elected to represent us. Mark Holland hasn’t acted, and time is running out. We’re left asking a tough question: does he really care about the health of Canadians facing this devastating disease, or are we being ignored once again?
What You Can Do
We’re calling on you, our supporters, to take action with us. Here’s what you can do right now to help push this over the line:
1. Contact Mark Holland Directly: We need him to hear from as many people as possible. Call his office, send an email, or reach out on social media. Tell him why this matters and why presenting Petition e-5186 in the House of Commons is crucial. This is our chance to be heard—don’t let it slip by.
2. Share the Petition Widely: We’ve seen the power of your shares already, but we need one last big push. Email it to friends, post it on social media, talk about it with anyone who will listen. Every signature is a step closer to making this a reality for patients across the country.
3. Make Noise on Social Media: Use hashtags like #e5186, #PancreaticCancer, and tag @MarkHollandLib directly. We need to flood his feed and show him that Canadians are watching. This isn’t about political games—it’s about lives on the line.
The next 48 hours are crucial. If we don’t get the response we need from Mark Holland, we’ll have to find another Member of Parliament willing to present our petition. This isn’t just a setback; it’s a missed opportunity to take real, immediate action. And that’s not something we can accept—not when we know what’s at stake. We’ve seen too many families go through this journey, fighting against a disease that doesn’t wait, in a system that often forces them to.
We started this petition because we believe in Heather’s legacy—one of fighting for what’s right and pushing back against the inequities we experienced firsthand. We believe every patient deserves the best chance, no matter where they live in this country. We’re not here to ask nicely anymore; we’re demanding it. We’re demanding fairness, equity, and the chance for every Canadian with pancreatic cancer to access the care they deserve.
To everyone who has supported this petition so far: we can’t thank you enough. Your signatures, your shares, your voices—they’ve brought us this far. But the fight isn’t over yet. We need one last push to make sure our message is heard loud and clear. Let’s keep going. Let’s show that we won’t be ignored, that we’re here for every family facing this brutal diagnosis, and that we’re demanding change now.
Together, we can turn this silence into action. We can make sure that when this story is told, it’s one of a community that refused to back down. It’s one of people who fought for fairness, for equity, and for the chance at a better future for every person facing pancreatic cancer.
Thank you for being with us in this fight. Let’s make these last two days count.
With gratitude and determination,
The Heather Cutler Foundation
What is Petition e-5186 and why is it important for Canadians with pancreatic cancer?
Petition e-5186 advocates for equitable access to clinical trials for Canadians with pancreatic cancer. Currently, clinical trials are limited to four provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta. This petition seeks to establish national guidelines, ensuring that all Canadians, regardless of their location, have access to life-saving treatments and research opportunities.
How many signatures has Petition e-5186 gathered so far?
Petition e-5186 has gathered 829 signatures on Change.org, and over 100 on Our Commons. Please see the hole page for current figures. Each signature represents a call for action to provide fair and equitable access to clinical trials for Canadians with pancreatic cancer.
What is the current survival rate for pancreatic cancer in Canada?
The survival rate for pancreatic cancer in Canada has stagnated at approximately 10 percent, making it one of the cancers with the lowest survival outcomes.
Who is Mark Holland and why is his response crucial for Petition e-5186?
Mark Holland first and foremost, Canada’s Minister of Health and a Member of Parliament whose authorization is required to present Petition e-5186 in the House of Commons. His support is critical, as without it, the petition cannot proceed, without delaying necessary changes for Canadians with pancreatic cancer.
How can supporters help push Petition e-5186 forward in its final days?
Supporters can make an impact by reaching out to Mark Holland via phone, email, or social media to urge him to present the petition. They can also amplify awareness by sharing the petition with their networks and using hashtags like #e5186 and #PancreaticCancer on social media while tagging @MarkHollandLib.
What are the main goals of the Heather Cutler Foundation regarding pancreatic cancer care in Canada?
The Heather Cutler Foundation is focused on ensuring fair access to clinical trials for all Canadians with pancreatic cancer, creating national guidelines for pancreatic cancer care, and addressing systemic inequities in the healthcare system that impact treatment access.
Why is time a critical factor in addressing pancreatic cancer treatment access?
Pancreatic cancer progresses quickly, leaving little time for Canadians living with the disease to explore treatment options. Immediate access to clinical trials and therapies can significantly improve outcomes, making timely action essential.
What challenges do Canadians with pancreatic cancer in smaller provinces face?
Canadians with pancreatic cancer in smaller provinces like Newfoundland and Labrador or Prince Edward Island are excluded from accessing clinical trials and innovative treatments. This creates a significant disparity in care compared to those in larger provinces, limiting their options and hope for improved outcomes.
How does Petition e-5186 aim to improve pancreatic cancer care across Canada?
Petition e-5186 seeks to establish national guidelines that guarantee equal access to clinical trials and innovative treatments for all Canadians with pancreatic cancer, regardless of where they live.
What is the significance of the next 48 hours for Petition e-5186?
The next 48 hours are critical for Petition e-5186, as this is the remaining time to secure Mark Holland’s authorization to present the petition in the House of Commons. If this deadline is missed, supporters will need to find another Member of Parliament to sponsor the petition, which could delay progress in addressing urgent issues for Canadians with pancreatic cancer.
