An Educational Event in L.A. Join us to learn more about pancreatic cancer from specialists in the field. Register today. Watch Volunteers In Action See why our volunteers are so committed to the cause. Head Into Fall in Stylish Purple Shop today and refresh your wardrobe with the latest styles. An Evening With the Stars Sign up now to join us at our gala on October 30 in Century City, Calif.

Nutrition Tips and Pancreatic Enzymes Learn more about enzymes and managing dietary symptoms. Gear Up for Fall Advocacy Efforts Sign up for advocacy alerts and stay abreast of the latest developments. Research 2011 research grant applications open on September 8, 2010. Learn more. Build Lasting Memories Create a tribute page for your loved one and help others facing the disease.

Message from the President and CEO Our guest columnist this month is Pinku Mukherjee, PhD, the Irwin Belk Distinguished Professor of Cancer Research in the Department of Biology and Bioinformatics at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, who was awarded a Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Pilot Grant in 2007. Since receiving her grant, Dr. Mukherjee has become an integral part of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network family and was a passionate advocate for increased federal research funding for the disease at the Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day in June. Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA President and CEO Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Dear Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Friends: I first learned about the dismal prognosis those touched by pancreatic cancer face when my colleague's hairdresser, Janet, who also became my hairdresser, was diagnosed with the disease. Pancreatic cancer touched my life again later when my cousin, Sharmishta, unexpectedly died of the disease within 4 to 6 months of diagnosis. At that time, I was working at the Mayo Clinic, where I was fortunate to have outstanding mentors and colleagues including Drs. Sandra Gendler, Gloria Peterson, Suresh Chari, Leonard Gunderson, Laurence Miller, and Charles Erlichman. Interacting and learning from them, I became completely motivated to take on the challenge of focusing my research on pancreatic cancer. Regarding funding for my research, I first received a career development award from the Mayo Clinic Pancreatic Cancer SPORE grant to develop appropriate models to study the disease. Preliminary data generated from the award enabled me to secure a very prestigious Pilot Grant from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network later on. This research served as the basis for a subsequent research grant (RO1) I received from the National Institutes of Health and later became part of the multi-million dollar Mayo Clinic Pancreatic Cancer SPORE grant. The Pilot Grant was awarded during a critical juncture in my professional life and greatly helped me in furthering my academic career. More importantly, it introduced me to a whole new world of colleagues and others through the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, including scientists and clinicians, as well as survivors and family members affected by the disease. It has indeed been an incredible and humbling journey to interact with them and to become a part of this wonderful extended family. This past June, I participated in the fourth annual Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. I cannot begin to express the feeling of accomplishment I experienced when I let our government officials know that research dollars to study pancreatic cancer need to be significantly enhanced. I now feel I have truly become a part of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network family and I look forward to many more interactions and service to the organization. I have always had great admiration for this organization as it creates the motivation and enthusiasm in young scientists to conduct innovative research that would otherwise remain unfunded and therefore unexplored. Most importantly, the organization provides hope and service to countless patients and their families who need all the support they can get. I am greatly indebted to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and each and every person who contributes to it for providing me with the necessary resources at a critical time during my career to conduct the research on developing targeted therapies. I continue to work in this field equipped with the motivation and humble desire to translate my preclinical research findings to benefit the thousands of patients that suffer from this deadly disease. With warm regards and respect, Pinku Mukherjee, PhD Irwin Belk Distinguished Professor of Cancer Research, Department of Biology and Bioinformatics Oliver Smithies Faculty of Cancer Research University of North Carolina, Charlotte 2007 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Pilot Grant recipient

For information about including the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in your estate planning,
click here.