As this years generous, drawn-out Canadian summer winds down and the crisp air of autumn overtakes the summer vibes, a quieter season begins. With it comes not just an important month, but an important day to mark on our calendars: November 21, World Pancreatic Cancer Day.
World Pancreatic Cancer Day actually takes place within the wider World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month which runs the entirety of November each year and aims to shine a light on pancreatic cancer through a host of online and in-person events and some of the tough realities this disease brings.
When we first began researching the origins of World Pancreatic Cancer Day and looking into events, we realized there was so much more to discover about the incredible work of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition. Fast forward to today, and we are beyond grateful to share that we are now officially members of this powerful global network!
Events and Activities in Canada and Around the Globe 🌎
We took the liberty of doing a little researching as we were curious how events will vary across different countries around the world and organized some of the top events around the globe in November.
🌍 Global: The World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition is again this year holding their campaign ”Hello Pancreas” and annual virtual event. Participants are encouraged to blow up the hashtag #HelloPancreas and visit hellopancreas.com (which currently just redirects to their homepage at the time of writing) for more info. Registration: Register for the virtual event on Facebook.
🇺🇸 United States
PanCAN Webinar: Early Detection and Pancreatic Cancer
Join PanCAN on World Pancreatic Cancer Day for a virtual panel discussion on early detection, featuring Miss America 2024 Madison Marsh, a dedicated advocate for pancreatic cancer awareness. Hosted by PanCAN President and CEO Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, the event will explore the importance of recognizing symptoms, managing risks, and new research developments, including artificial intelligence and the Early Detection Initiative.
📅 Registration: RSVP here
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month Turkey Trot by Project Purple is Scheduled for Thanksgiving Weekend (November 28 – December 1), this virtual 5k run or 1-mile walk invites participants to join from their local neighbourhoods or treadmills, fostering a global movement against pancreatic cancer.
Register on Race Roster.
❄️ Cold Plunge For Pancreatic Cancer
Project Purple is hosting its first-ever cold plunge event on World Pancreatic Cancer Day. Join for an education session with Lauren and the Ice Cold Club on the benefits of cold plunging, followed by guided breathing exercises and a group cold plunge.
Registration: Sign up here!
🇨🇦 Canada
Walk for Hope – Fundraising and awareness walk organized by Pancreatic Cancer Canada, part of the national WPCC campaign. Location: Toronto, ON.
🥾Kicking Pancreas™ 5K - Craig’s Cause is hosting a virtual evening run/walk for all abilities and ages. Complete it anytime in November while wearing purple and glow-in-the-dark items. Registration: Sign up on Raceroster
Purple Kitchen Cooking Challenge – A cooking challenge with top chefs raising funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer research, live-streamed globally. Location: Vancouver, BC.
Landmarks in cities across Canada will be lighting up purple in solidarity with the cause so be sure to check with yours! Check out the finder provided by Pancreatic Cancer Canada below to see what‘s lighting up close to you.
🇬🇧 U.K.
Purple Lights Campaign – Iconic buildings will be lit in purple to honor World Pancreatic Cancer Day and raise awareness. Join in and register to light up your home purple! Registration: Head over to Purple Lights UK
World Pancreatic Cancer Day - Webinar by Pancreatic Cancer Programme Join a panel of experts for a discussion on cancer-associated cachexia, covering research, clinical insights, and day-to-day management. Register on Eventbrite.
Pancreatic Cancer Action Fundraiser Gala – Gala dinner and fundraising event hosted by Pancreatic Cancer Action for WPCC. Location: London, U.K.
🇦🇺 Australia
Purple Lights for Pancreatic Cancer – Landmarks across Australia will be lit in purple to commemorate World Pancreatic Cancer Day. Location: Sydney, Melbourne.
🍽️ Fundraising Dinner for Pancreatic Cancer
Team Lopez is hosting a dinner event on World Pancreatic Cancer Day to raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research. Join for an evening of food, drinks, and entertainment while supporting a crucial cause. Registration: Purchase tickets on Eventbrite!
🇩🇪 Germany: Purple Stride Run/Walk – A 5k run/walk event supporting pancreatic cancer research in Germany as part of a larger European WPCC initiative. Location: Berlin.
🌍 Global (Virtual): Virtual Fundraising Webinars – Educational webinars with survivors, doctors, and researchers sharing advancements in pancreatic cancer treatment. Location: Virtual.
🇯🇵 Japan: Mie University Purple Ribbon Event – Mie University Hospital hosts seminars, testimonials, and free consultations for early detection and dietary advice. Location: Mie University Hospital, Japan. PanCAN Japan PurpleStride Event – Annual PurpleStride walk in Tokyo to raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research. Location: Shiba Park, Tokyo, Japan.
🇹🇼 Taiwan: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Seminar – Public seminar by oncologists to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer symptoms and treatment. Location: Taipei Medical University, Taiwan.
🇨🇳 China: Public Awareness Campaign – Hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai hold talks, consultations with specialists, and seminars on pancreatic cancer treatment. Location: Beijing Union Medical College Hospital, China.
Unlike holidays such as Christmas or Valentine's Day, this day may pass unnoticed by many. But for Canadians touched by pancreatic cancer—whether through personal experience or the journey of a loved one—this day carries deep meaning. It's a moment to pause, reflect, and raise our voices in unity.
We’re Seeing PURPLE: Which Landmark did it best? 🗽
In random order— Sydney’s Opera House, Tokyo’s Sky Tower, Toronto’s CN Tower, Newfoundland’s Confederation Building.
Every year in Canada, from the bustling cities of Vancouver and Toronto, to our very own Confederation Building in St. John’s, Newfoundland— businesses and organizations and government landmarks have illuminated that beautiful tone of purple to show they stand with our PC people. But it’s not just huge corporations that are pulling out the stops.
The Late Alex Trebek Introduces World Pancreatic Cancer Day after being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in 2020. His battle ended some twenty months later which is far more than some patients get.
Bringing Out the Star Power 🌟
Our mother, Heather was a long-time fan of Jeopardy and of course, Alex Trebek. And she was proud of her winning streaks. But Mr. Trebek isn’t the only star who has put their fame to work.
Notable celebrity attendants have included the hilarious Mindy Kaling, whose mother passed away from PC in 2012. ”Out Tonight”’s Rosario Dawson, Star Trek cast members Jonathan Frakes and Armin Shimerman. And most recently, the amazing Miss America, Madison March, who wasted no time in putting her spotlight to use.
Join us in uncovering the importance of World Pancreatic Cancer Day and the worldwide events and efforts dedicated to raising awareness for this vital cause.
History of World Pancreatic Cancer Day
World Pancreatic Cancer Day actually takes place within World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month which runs the entirety of November each year since 2000 . The first inaugural observance took place on November 13th, 2014. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of numerous Cancer organizations, notably the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition (WPCC) observance and awareness of the event has flourished.
Fast-forward to ten years later and it’s currently observed in over thirty-five countries and counting across six continents. A historical search of Google keyword data for World Pancreatic Cancer Day however, shows the first usage in January of 2014 well before the November observance.
A gallery of events for World Pancreatic Cancer Day, from Germany to Japan.
Participating organizations are collectively a part of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition (WPCC). Membership in the organization includes prominent figures of well-established national organizations in each participating country, such as Stefanie Condon-Oldreive, founder of Craig’s Cause.
How To Get Involved
World Pancreatic Cancer Day is all about both individuals and organizations coming together and participating in activities that shine some much needed spotlight on Pancreatic Cancer.
Canadian Events and Activities
Sharing Personal Stories and Experiences
On World Pancreatic Cancer Day, sharing personal stories and experiences plays a crucial role not just in raising awareness but making Pancreayic cancer relateable. Each story represents a unique journey, filled with emotional highs and lows, moments of hope, and the reality of living with pancreatic cancer. By opening up about their experiences, patients, survivors, and families can shed light on the challenges they’ve faced, whether it’s navigating a complicated healthcare system, advocating for timely treatment, or grappling with the emotional toll of a diagnosis. These stories can inspire others to keep fighting and understand that they are not alone.
In addition to providing comfort and solidarity, sharing your personal experiences helps bring much-needed attention to the gaps in pancreatic cancer care, such as the limited access to clinical trials, delays in treatment, and the need for better support networks. When individuals and families share their struggles, they humanize this disease, showing that behind every statistic is a real person with real challenges. These stories become powerful advocacy tools, urging governments, healthcare providers, and the public to act. On World Pancreatic Cancer Day, these personal narratives help build a community that pushes for better treatment, increased research funding, and ultimately, improved survival rates for all patients.
Utilizing Downloadable Materials
If you‘re really looking to ace this assignment, you’ll be pleased to know Pancreatic Cancer organizations have done most the work for you and usually will have an array of materials to support you as you spread the word. Look for informative pamphlets, eye-catching posters or social media graphics to catch that head start, or, if you’re feeling creative try Canva or other tools to make something original.
Sharing really is caring, and these downloadables should inspire conversations about the disease, its symptoms, the importance of early detection and the critical need to increase its survival rates.
Consider hosting your own purple event, or a small gathering with family or friends; even just a single post about what you‘ve learned can elevate those conversations about pancreatic cancer and really drive home the importance of research funding and awareness.
What the Heather Cutler Foundation Is Doing
As the Heather Cutler Foundation evolves, we’re always looking for new ways to make a difference and drive change for better outcomes. We’ve learned that raising awareness alone isn’t enough; we need to take actionable steps. This means rallying policymakers, influencers, and everyday individuals to drive meaningful change.
With that said, we’re excited to announce a significant step that we’re taking towards that goal. On World Pancreatic Cancer Day, November 21, we will be directing our petition to the House of Commons.
It’s the perfect occasion to advocate for a national framework that includes both somatic and genetic testing for pancreatic cancer. We believe this framework is crucial for effective and tailored treatments. Studies show that molecular profiling can lead to better outcomes and improved survival rates (ASCO, 2021; NCI, 2022).
In contrast to the U.S., where the FDA has streamlined regulations to support advanced testing and new biomarkers, Canada’s progress has been slower. In 2018, the United States had already crafted the Precision Medicine Initiative under the Obama administration to accommodate the rapidly evolving field of Molecular Profiling (Also referred to as Next-Generation Sequencing, Somatic Testing). Although changes are expected here in Canada between 2024 and 2026, patients here often face significant financial and logistical barriers to accessing these tests, often having to pay out of pocket or navigate a fragmented system (FDA, 2024; Health Canada, 2023).
We’re calling for a comprehensive national framework to ensure all Canadians with pancreatic cancer have access to genetic and somatic testing, supported by clear processes and funding. This will help bridge the gap between the U.S. and Canada in precision medicine and reduce the disparity in care.
Decision Makers
Mark Holland, Minister of Health
Mark Holland, appointed as Canada’s Minister of Health in July 2023, plays a pivotal role in shaping national health policies. With oversight of major agencies like Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, he is directly involved in decisions that impact the accessibility and approval of new treatments. Given his responsibility for the Health Portfolio and its substantial budget, Holland is a key figure in addressing the treatment delays and healthcare disparities highlighted in our petition. His influence is critical in ensuring that Canadians receive timely and equitable access to essential medical care.
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada/Premier ministre du Canada
As Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has significant influence over federal health policy and funding priorities. His support is critical for implementing national guidelines and increasing resources for pancreatic cancer care.
Greg Fergus
Speaker, Canadian House of Commons
As Speaker of the House of Commons, Greg Fergus plays a crucial role in managing parliamentary proceedings and ensuring fair debate. His position allows him to bring attention to important issues like pancreatic cancer funding and research.
Dominic Tan
Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA)
Dominic Tan is currently the acting CEO of the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) and is responsible for heading up negotiations. He has been involved with the pCPA since its establishment and previously held the position of Senior Director of Negotiations and Outcomes.
Tracy Torchetti
Canadian Cancer Society
Dr. Stuart Edmonds
Canadian Cancer Society
As Executive VP of Mission, Research & Advocacy at the Canadian Cancer Society, Dr. Edmonds oversees cancer research funding and advocacy efforts. His support could help prioritize pancreatic cancer initiatives.
Kelly Masotti
Canadian Cancer Society
Understanding Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer, of course, originates in the pancreas. When cells in the pancreas start growing uncontrollably, they form a tumour, which then eventually spreads to other parts of the body like the lymph nodes, liver, bones, duodenum or other parts of the body if not caught early.
Pancreatic Cancer is rarely diagnosed early because it often doesn’t show symptoms until it has progressed, mainly because of the lack of symptoms. But also because there are no approved early detection methods. In fact, almost (over 50%} of patients are diagnosed at later stages. (PANCAN, 2023)
Symptoms and Risk Factors
Pancreatic cancer is often referred to as a "silent" disease because it frequently does not cause any noticeable symptoms until the cancer has progressed to a more advanced stage where it’s more challenging to treat and options become more limited.
However, there are some signs and symptoms that individuals should be aware of and watch out for, even in the early stages of the disease: Jaundice, abdominal or back pain, unintentional weight loss, and digestive problems. (World Health Organization, 2022)
While pancreatic cancer symptoms early in the game may be subtle or easy to overlook, being mindful of changes in your health and reporting anything that feels out of sorts to your healthcare provider can be crucial for early detection and improved outcomes.
Some key signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer may include:
- Jaundice: This condition causes a yellowing of the skin and eyes. It can be a sign that cancer is affecting the bile ducts. (Mayo Clinic, n.d.)
- Pain in the Abdomen or Back: Persistent pain or discomfort in the stomach or back might indicate pancreatic issues.
- Unintentional Weight Loss: Losing weight without a diet or exercise change might indicate an underlying problem.
- Digestive Problems: Issues like nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite could be related to pancreatic cancer.
- Active Diabetes, especially long-term diabetes is associated with an increased risk.
Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, some of these factors are not something that we can change. Some we can. However, recognizing that they can elevate your risk can help with early detection.
- Age: The risk increases as you get older, with most cases occurring in people over 65.
- Lifestyle Choices: Smoking is a significant risk factor. Quitting smoking can lower your risk.
- Genetics: A family history of pancreatic cancer or certain genetic conditions can elevate your risk. Genetic counselling might be an option if you have a strong family history.
- Chronic Pancreatitis: Long-term inflammation of the pancreas has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
- Body Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight can be a preventative measure. Obesity has been associated with a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Importance of Early Diagnosis
Early diagnosis is crucial in the fight against pancreatic cancer, as it significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates if caught at earlier stages when treatment options are much more effective.
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at later stages due to its subtle and nonspecific early symptoms. Raising awareness about the importance of early detection is a key focus of World Pancreatic Cancer Day. Symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, and jaundice should not be ignored. Regular check-ups and discussions with healthcare providers about risk factors, including family history and lifestyle choices, can lead to earlier detection. The Heather Cutler Foundation emphasizes the need for increased research into early detection methods and improved access to diagnostic tools like genetic and somatic testing. By promoting early diagnosis, we can potentially save more lives and improve the overall prognosis for those affected by pancreatic cancer.
Raising Awareness: Strategies and Tools
Social Media and Engagement
Every single person can play a crucial role in raising awareness for World Pancreatic Cancer Day and pancreatic cancer through social media engagement. One effective strategy is to share personal stories, whether you're a survivor, caregiver, or have been affected by the disease in any way. Using popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you can post informative content about pancreatic cancer symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of early detection.
The use of specific hashtags such as #WorldPancreaticCancerDay, #WPCD, or #DemandBetter are great for increasing visibility and helping everyone join the global conversation. Consider changing your profile picture or using a themed frame to show support for the cause. Sharing and commenting on posts from pancreatic cancer organizations can help amplify their message and reach a wider audience. You can also participate in or create social media challenges related to pancreatic cancer awareness, encouraging friends and family to get involved. By leveraging your social networks, you can help educate others about this disease and potentially save lives through increased awareness.
