We’re Not Giving Up. On May 19th, Help Make Pancreatic Cancer A National Priority in Canada
Join The Heather Cutler Foundation in urging the federal government to prioritize pancreatic cancer. Our petition calls for equitable access to clinical trials, testing and treatment. We have until April 3, 2025 to reach our goal.
Sign e-5186 NowWe’re rewriting the playbook on pancreatic cancer advocacy in Canada.
Inspired by Heather—a registered nurse who dedicated over 35 years to her community—our foundation is built on her journey from caregiver to patient. As a family, we know families from smaller provinces hit barriers at every turn, from accessing crucial tools like somatic testing to joining clinical trials that improve outcomes. Invisible borders and postal codes in Canada decide who gets a chance to fight. Pancreatic cancer doesn’t discriminate, and Canada’s healthcare system shouldn’t either.
We’re not bogged down by bureaucracy; we’re here to work for real change for Canadians with pancreatic cancer. This isn’t about broad promises—it’s about mobilizing public support, calling on government leaders and taking action to demand better care. Our approach is clear: we’re putting faces, not statistics, forward.
From our founding, our incorporation as a federal non-profit, to joining hands with the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, Team Heather has raised over $14,000 for pancreatic cancer research through Craig’s Cause #KickingPancreAS fundraiser, and our petition for cancer care reform has gathered over 800 signatures. Now, with the support of some of the world’s strongest voices, we’re more determined than ever to take this fight forward.
Meet Heather, and the Family Behind Heather Cutler Foundation.
This publication is in loving memory of the late Heather Cutler and her two-year battle with Pancreatic Cancer that brought her from the small province of Newfoundland, to the top minds in Pancreatic Cancer research at Johns Hopkins. Read first-hand accounts from Heather’s family.
Discover Heather’s JourneyOur Focus Areas
National Guidelines for Pancreatic Cancer Care
We're working to establish comprehensive, nationwide standards for pancreatic cancer treatment and care, ensuring all Canadians have access to the best possible outcomes.
Learn MoreExpanded Clinical Trial Access
We're advocating for increased access to cutting-edge clinical trials, giving more patients the opportunity to benefit from innovative treatments and contribute to pancreatic cancer research.
Learn MoreDrug Approval Transparency
We're pushing for greater transparency in the drug approval process, aiming to expedite access to potentially life-saving medications for pancreatic cancer patients.
Learn More
Resources and Support
Demystify and familiarize yourself with the wave of medical jargon coming your way with our easy-to-understand Glossary of Pancreatic Cancer Terminology. Explore the symptoms and risk factors. Take a closer look at some of the treatment options, testing and diagnosis.
Access ResourcesOur Impact
raised for pancreatic cancer research
signatures on our Change.org petition
of the required 500 signatures on e-5186
Shop To Support
Learn How to Advocate
You are not the period at the end of your diagnosis. Our advocacy began with our mother, Heather. Through persistence, we secured somatic testing at Eastern Health. After launching a petition on Change.org, e-5186 is now published and open for signatures on OurCommons.ca—proving the power of advocacy. Learn the questions to ask, the knowledge to empower yourself, and how to push forward when the system pushes back.
Find your voice
Newsroom
Stay up-to-date with The Heather Cutler Foundation’s latest initiatives. Our Newsroom features press releases on advocacy actions and fundraising efforts, including participation in events like Kicking PancreAS with Craig’s Cause. Follow our journey as we raise awareness, engage communities, and drive meaningful change to improve pancreatic cancer care across Canada.
THFC Newsroom