The Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation’s “Put Your Foot Down” Melbourne walk in May draws a large crowd of supporters.

The Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation began as Avner’s Fund after co-founder Avner Nahmani was diagnosed with the disease in 2007. He and his wife, Caroline, had the goal of raising $1 million for pancreatic cancer research, and although Avner passed away late in 2008, this goal was reached within two years.

Fast forward to 2019 and more than 10 years of incredible support from many generous corporate and community supporters, the now Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation has raised more than $10 million and has been a driving force for pancreatic cancer awareness in Australia. It is the only charity in Australia exclusively dedicated to pancreatic cancer.

The Foundation has committed more than $7 million toward 22 medical research projects at Australia’s leading universities and research institutions, funding some of the nation’s most talented researchers in their work to fight the disease.

This is the most significant contribution to pancreatic cancer research from a non-government agency and has been made possible entirely through the support of community and corporate fundraisers.

2019 is already a landmark year for the Foundation.

It recently released a report to the Australian government called, “Pancreatic Cancer: The Cancer of our Generation,” which highlights the traditional lack of action supported by the dire statistics around the disease. Importantly, this report provides a way forward. An awareness campaign will build a groundswell of support that will be used to call on the government to allocate $52 million in funding to further research and improve patient support.

These funds will be dedicated to changing the game for the disease and those it affects across the country. This includes a comprehensive medical research strategy, the creation of a national network of excellence and a dedicated patient support hub, which will be launched nationally later in 2019.

Global support and awareness for the disease is important to ensure a coordinated and unified approach across the globe, and the Foundation looks forward to working with the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition and member organizations to help achieve this.

Learn more about the Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation at https://www.avnersfoundation.org.au/