If you look up collaboration in the dictionary, this is what you’ll get:
noun
1. the action of working with someone to produce or create something.
If you add the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition’s (WPCC) commitment to fighting pancreatic cancer on a worldwide level to this definition of “collaboration,” this is what you’ll get:
noun
1. the action of pancreatic cancer leaders from 31 countries on six continents at 74 organizations working together to fight the world’s toughest cancer.
At this year’s annual WPCC conference, the word “collaboration” was one of the key takeaways for attendees.
“Over the course of the two days, we heard from scientific experts and fellow members,” wrote Jessica Abelsohn, the co-founder of Australia’s #PurpleOurWorld. “We spoke about what we’ve all done right over the past couple of years and what we can do better. Being way over here in Australia, it’s important for us to feel part of something bigger, and we believe the Coalition provides this. We have always said, right from the beginning, that only by banding together will we beat this disease.”
#PurpleOurWorld was among the 40 member organizations from 22 countries and six continents who attended the 2018 WPCC meeting in Coral Gables, Fla. Members like Abelsohn networked and shared global expertise and experience in advocating for pancreatic cancer patients.
This was the third consecutive year global leaders in the pancreatic cancer space have collaborated, via panel discussions and workshops, to drive transformational change for those affected by the disease.
“WPCC is an incredible opportunity to work together with other organizations across the globe and unite in our fight to end pancreatic cancer,” said Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) and chair of the WPCC Steering Committee. “Collectively, our voices are stronger, allowing us to make greater strides toward changing outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.”
Every day, more than 1,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; of that, we estimate 985 will die from the disease.
This makes our mission to end the world’s toughest cancer an urgent one.
“We can more quickly and efficiently improve these statistics by working together,” said Jenny Isaacson, PanCAN’s vice president of strategic partnerships and projects and WPCC attendee. “Through global collaboration, Coalition members raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and strengthen the capacity and individual efforts of all member organizations. Our mission is to drive transformational change for all those affected by pancreatic cancer.”
The next big event on WPCC’s radar is World Pancreatic Cancer Day (WPCD). The goal of WPCD is to increase knowledge of pancreatic cancer symptoms and risks at a worldwide level. While WPCD falls on Nov. 15 this year, attendees agreed — to really combat this disease, their fundraising, awareness, research and advocacy efforts need to be as strong on the other 364 days of the year as they are on WPCD.
To see how the Coalition is collaborating to combat pancreatic cancer worldwide, follow us on all our social media accounts:
WPCC members extend gratitude to “Visionary Sponsor” Celgene, “Accelerator Sponsors” Novocure and Shire and “Ally Sponsors” Halozyme, Immunovia and Ipsen.
