LET’S WIN!

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Recognizing that there is an urgent need for pancreatic cancer patients to communicate amongst themselves and with the medical community about potentially life-changing non-standard of care treatments and clinical trials, Let’s Win was launched as an initiative of the Lustgarten Foundation in May 2016. Let’s Win www.letswinpc.org is an interactive online community where patients and families can share information and experiences about new, innovative science-driven treatments and learn about the latest research, breakthroughs and clinical trials in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

Let’s Win is designed to:
– Fulfill an unmet need, as pancreatic cancer patients are typically offered one of only a few basic standard of care treatment options, none of which has proven effective long-term.
– Alleviate the countless hours of research a patient experiences when faced with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis by crowdsourcing actionable information and offering it all in one place.
– Connect scientists and patients for the first time, enabling two-way communication that can advance current treatments.

In addition to the My Treatment section, where patients share their innovative treatment stories with the goal of helping other patients, the site includes articles on promising science by leading pancreatic experts, highlights of current clinical trials, a news feed and a comprehensive resource library. 

Let’s Win was founded by the late Anne Glauber, a seasoned communications professional, pancreatic cancer patient and advocate, Dr. Allyson Ocean, Willa Shalit, a communications and digital marketing executive, and the CEO of the Lustgarten Foundation, Kerri Kaplan.

“We are proud to be a member of the WPCC, said Cindy Gavin, founding executive director, and collaborate with the pancreatic cancer community in our shared passion and commitment to help patients and advance the science for this deadly disease.”

Member Highlight: The National Pancreas Foundation

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Matt Alsante, Executive Director, National Pancreas Foundation, at a hero-themed fundraiser.

The National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) is celebrating its 20th anniversary, having been created in 1997. The NPF was co-founded by Jane Holt, a pancreatitis patient, and Patter Birsic, who lost her sister-in-law to pancreatic cancer. The experiences of both the Holt and Birsic families led to the NPF being the only organization dedicated to all diseases of the pancreas, with a focus on pancreatic cancer, pediatric pancreatitis, acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis.

The NPF mission is to provide hope, with a focus on research, education, advocacy and support for pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis patients and families. To fulfill its mission, the NPF raises funds from which grants are made directly to researchers seeking to resolve the challenging medical problems of pancreatic diseases. A National Patient Registry has been developed for individuals suffering the isolating and debilitating conditions associated with pancreatic disease. The Registry has a patient portal and an institutional partnership component. The NPF also has a program called the Animated Pancreas Patient. This program has animations and expert interviews on all forms of pancreatic disease, including pancreatic cancer and clinical trials. The clinical trials module can be of great benefit to a newly diagnosed patient, as it explains what clinical trials are and the terminology that is used, as well as why they are important to consider — all in an easy to understand format.

The NPF is looking to work with the other organizations of the WPCC in making sure they are aware of its programs, advocating together for greater funds invested toward pancreatic cancer research, and to learn about the programs that are available to pancreatic cancer patients from other organizations.

“We are looking forward to the next WPCC meeting,” said Matt Alsante, executive director, “where we can discuss how we can have a unified voice to not only advocate for pancreatic cancer patients in November, but how we can work together all year long to make sure the voices of the patients and families we represent are being heard.”

Honoring the life of Anne Glauber, co-founder of Coalition member Let’s Win!

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It is with much regret that I share that Anne Glauber, the co-founder of our fellow World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition member, Let’s Win!, died yesterday after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.  Our Coalition, and the pancreatic cancer community, is stronger today because of Anne’s unrelenting spirit.

Anne co-founded Let’s Win!, a website that shares information about pancreatic cancer treatments and trials that go beyond standard of care.  She also sat on the Lustgarten Foundation Board of Directors and had an extensive professional background as a public relations executive.

Anne’s committed passion to drive change for this disease is a clear reminder of why our joint efforts are so critically important.  Today and always, we celebrate her life along with fellow Coalition members around the world.

Anne, you will be deeply missed.

Julie Fleshman, Chair
World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition