The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a 501(c)3 non-profit that funds research, provides patient support, conducts community outreach and advocates for increased federal research funding for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. This year, over 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...

. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network provides patients and caregivers with information about treatment options, clinical studies and additional resources. Established in 1999 as an advocacy group

Advocacy group

Advocacy groups use various forms of advocacy to influence public opinion and/or policy; they have played and continue to play an important part in the development of political and social systems...

 for those impacted by pancreatic cancer, the organization now has over 70 volunteer affiliates around country that raise awareness and funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

Founding Board of Directors:

• Pamela Acosta, President & Founder
• Terry Lieman, Co-Founder
• Paula Simper, Co-Founder
• Deborah Day Barbara
• Rick L. Carr, R. Ph.
• Stephanie Davis, Esq.
• Malissa Black Lischin
• Christian H F Riley, Esq.
• Randolph E. Stein
• Cynthia Stroum
  Cynthia Stroum
  Cynthia Stroum served as the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg from December 7, 2009 to January 31, 2011.-Background and education:Stroum comes from a wealthy, well-known philanthropic Jewish family in Seattle. She received a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations and Journalism from the...
  
  
• Rick Weisheimer

Current Board of Directors

• Peter Kovler, Chair
• Laurie MacCaskill, Vice Chair
• Stephanie R. Davis, JD, MA
• Tim Ennis
• Julie M. Fleshman, JD, MBA
• Stevan Holmberg, MBA, DBA
• Jason Kuhn
• Jai Pausch (widow of Randy Pausch
  Randy Pausch
  Randolph Frederick "Randy" Pausch was an American professor of computer science and human-computer interaction and design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania....
  
  )
• Stuart Rickerson
• Cynthia Stroum

President & CEO:

• Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA

National Spokesperson

• Lisa Niemi
  Lisa Niemi
  Lisa Niemi is an American actress and dancer. She is the widow of actor, singer and dancer Patrick Swayze. They were married for 34 years, from 1975 until his death in 2009.-Early life:...
  
  Swayze

External links

• Official website of The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
• Patient Power: Pancreatic Cancer Audio and video programs that connect, educate, and empower patients to take a proactive role in their healthcare.