HomeMy WebLinkAboutPancreatic Cancer Awareness Month_11.2009
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, over 42,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year in the United
States and over 35,000 will die from the disease; and
WHEREAS, pancreatic cancer is the deadliest cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death
in the United States and approximately 2,120 deaths will occur in the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, 76 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first year of their diagnosis
and 95 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first five years; and
WHEREAS, there is no cure for pancreatic cancer and there have been no significant
improvements in early detection, treatment methods, or survival rates in the last 30 years; and
WHEREAS, when symptoms of pancreatic cancer present themselves, it is usually too late for an
optimistic prognosis and the average life expectancy of those diagnosed with metastasis disease is only
three to six months; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Government invests less money in pancreatic cancer research than it
does in any of the other leading cancer killers; and
WHEREAS, the good health and well-being of residents of the City of Georgetown are enhanced
as a direct result of increased awareness about pancreatic cancer and research into early detection, causes
and effective treatments; and
WHEREAS, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the first and only national patient advocacy
organization that serves the pancreatic cancer community in the City of Georgetown and nationwide by
focusing on efforts on public policy, research funding, patient services and public awareness and
education related to developing effective treatments and a cure for pancreatic cancer; and
WHEREAS, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and its affiliates in the City of Georgetown
support those patients currently battling pancreatic cancer, as well as to those who have lost their lives to
the disease, and are committed to nothing less than a cure.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE GARVER, MAYOR of the City of Georgetown, do hereby
proclaim November 2009 as
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month