Every year, November 20 marks World Pancreatic Cancer Day. It’s a date that rarely makes headlines. But if you or someone you love has faced pancreatic cancer, you know just how much visibility matters—especially in a place where support can feel far away.
Our family learned this firsthand. When pancreatic cancer hit, we weren’t prepared for the isolation. The disease itself is often invisible—missing from conversations, overlooked in funding, and especially hard to face in rural and small-town communities. That invisibility is even sharper if you live far from major cancer centres, where access is already limited.
That’s why something as simple as a proclamation—or lighting up a local building in purple—matters more than most people realize. It’s a visible signal. It says: “This matters here. Our community isn’t turning away. Our families deserve to be seen.”
Right now, The Heather Cutler Foundation is working with towns and cities across Newfoundland and Labrador to secure official proclamations and Light It Purple for World Pancreatic Cancer Day 2025. But this is bigger than just one province. The approach works anywhere in Canada. You can do this where you live. It’s an effective way to bring real awareness to pancreatic cancer and make sure families aren’t left fighting in the dark.
Why Proclamations Work
A proclamation isn’t just paperwork—it’s a declaration that turns something invisible into something that can’t be ignored. When your municipality issues a proclamation, it goes on the public record. It often triggers local media attention, gets posted online, and sparks conversations at council and around the kitchen table.
We know awareness saves lives. Research from CAMH showed that after a public mental health campaign, more people stepped forward for help. The conversation itself made a difference. That’s what visibility can do for pancreatic cancer—push it out of the shadows, where real change starts.
Global Movement, Local Impact
World Pancreatic Cancer Day is marked in cities across the world, from London to Sydney to Toronto. Purple is the symbol of courage, survival, and the fight to be seen. This year, your town or city can be part of that movement—sending a message to every resident that pancreatic cancer deserves attention, and those living with it deserve better.
How You Can Take Action — Step by Step
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Find your town or city’s website.
Look for the City Clerk’s Office, Protocol Office, or Mayor’s Office. If you can’t find a proclamation section, call the main number and ask, “How do I submit a proclamation request?” -
Ask about lighting up buildings too.
Many towns offer building light-up requests alongside proclamations. -
Use this sample message:
Subject: Proclamation and Light It Purple Request – World Pancreatic Cancer Day, November 20, 2025
Dear [City Clerk or Mayor’s Office],
I’m writing to respectfully request that [City/Town Name] issue a proclamation and light municipal buildings purple to mark World Pancreatic Cancer Day on November 20, 2025.
This is part of the global Light It Purple campaign, raising awareness for pancreatic cancer—the cancer with Canada’s lowest five-year survival rate. Families right here in [Your Town] are affected, and this is a chance for our community to show visible support and bring much-needed awareness.
Could you please advise how I can submit this request formally, or what steps I should follow?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Proclamation Template
World Pancreatic Cancer Day – November 20, 2025
[Insert Municipality Name]
WHEREAS pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with a five-year survival rate of just 10 percent, and remains the third leading cause of cancer death in Canada; and
WHEREAS pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to vague symptoms and lack of early detection tools, limiting treatment options and access to clinical trials for Canadians, including those in [Insert Municipality Name]; and
WHEREAS World Pancreatic Cancer Day, held on November 20, 2025, unites organizations, advocates, families, and communities in a mission to raise awareness, improve outcomes, and honour those impacted by pancreatic cancer; and
WHEREAS The Heather Cutler Foundation, a volunteer-driven organization based in Newfoundland and Labrador and a member of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, works to advance awareness, access to clinical trials, and advocacy for Canadians living with pancreatic cancer, including those in [Insert Municipality Name]; and
WHEREAS [Insert Municipality Name] joins The Heather Cutler Foundation and communities worldwide in supporting the “Light It Purple” campaign—shining a light on pancreatic cancer and standing in solidarity with those impacted, their families, and advocates working for change;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that [Insert Municipality Name] proclaims November 20, 2025, as World Pancreatic Cancer Day, encouraging all residents, organizations, and businesses to “Light It Purple”—by wearing purple, lighting homes and landmarks, and raising awareness to honour those affected and drive progress toward earlier detection, better treatments, and improved survival for Canadians impacted by pancreatic cancer.
How to Use This Template
- Replace
[Insert Municipality Name]with your town, city, or community. - Attach the proclamation text to your outreach email or submission form.
- Most towns will reply with next steps. Some may have a form; others will accept your email as the request.
Proclamations are often read at council, posted online, and shared on social media. That’s how awareness grows.
Need Support?
If you have questions, or your town wants more details, email us at [email protected]. We’ll send templates, examples, and guidance—no matter where you live in Canada.
