Outreach October 2010 - Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Transcription
Outreach October 2010 - Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
OUTREACH Vol X issue III october 2010 Record number of advocates rally on Capitol Hill for Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day 2010 October 2010 OUTREACH 1 CHAIR’S MESSAGE CELEBRATING ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR Dear Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Friends: Thanks to the inspiring generosity of our stellar donors and support of volunteers nationwide, our 2009-‘10 fiscal year, that ended on June 30, was another successful one for the organization. I want to personally acknowledge everyone who contributed for their benevolence in helping to further the organization’s mission. These donations helped to fund one of the important aims of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: our research grants program. In 2010, approximately $2.3 million was incurred to fund research grants awarded to outstanding investigators. To learn more about our 2011 research grants program, please see page 1. In other news, the endorsement of a respected celebrity is helping to further raise the organization‘s profile. Writer, director and best-selling author Lisa Niemi Swayze, who lost her husband, Patrick Swayze, to pancreatic cancer in 2009, has agreed to serve as our spokesperson. We are extremely grateful for her support and dedication. You may have received a heartfelt e-mail from Lisa on September 14, the first anniversary of Patrick’s death, urging you to be a hero in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Lisa kicked off our November awareness campaign with a special message about the urgent need to fight the disease and with a touching video promoting our theme: Be a Hero in the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer. Know It. Fight It. End It. (Watch Lisa's video at www.knowitfinditendit.org.) We are excited that Lisa is lending her voice to our cause and this campaign. To find out how you can take action this November as part of the campaign, turn to page 6. As always, your ongoing support and generosity, enabling us to continue providing much-needed, high-quality services and programs for the pancreatic cancer community, is deeply appreciated. Sincerely, Jason Kuhn Board Chair P.S. Congratulations to David Tuveson, MD, PhD, who began serving a two-year term as the chair of the organization's Scientific Advisory Board in July. Look for more information about Dr. Tuveson's appointment in the February 2011 issue of Outreach. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jason Kuhn, Chair, Tampa, Fla. Stephanie R. Davis, JD, MA, Secretary, Sherman Oaks, Calif. Tim Ennis, Boca Raton, Fla. Julie Fleshman, JD, MBA, President & CEO, Los Angeles Stevan Holmberg, MBA, DBA, Potomac, Md. Peter Kovler, Washington, D.C. Laurie MacCaskill, Los Angeles Jai Pausch, Hampton Roads, Va. Stuart Rickerson, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Cynthia Stroum, Founding Chair Emeritus, Seattle SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD David Tuveson, MD, PhD, Chair, Cambridge Research Institute/CRUK Dafna Bar-Sagi, PhD, New York University Teri Brentnall, MD, University of Washington Michael Hollingsworth, PhD, University of Nebraska Medical Center Ralph Hruban, MD, Johns Hopkins University Elizabeth Jaffee, MD, Johns Hopkins University Craig Logsdon, PhD, MD Anderson Cancer Center Margaret Mandelson, PhD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Gloria Petersen, PhD, Mayo Clinic Margaret Tempero, MD, University of California, San Francisco Selwyn Vickers, MD, University of Minnesota Geoffrey Wahl, PhD, Salk Institute MEDICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL Mark Talamonti, MD, Chair, NorthShore University HealthSystem Jordan Berlin, MD, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Marcia Canto, MD, Johns Hopkins University Christopher Crane, MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center Jason Fleming, MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center Julie Meddles, RD, LD, Ohio State University Medical Center Mary Mulcahy, MD, Northwestern University Maria Petzel, RD, CSO, LD, CNSD, MD Anderson Cancer Center Vincent Picozzi, MD, Virginia Mason Medical Center Mark Pochapin, MD, Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health OUR MISSION The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a nationwide network of people dedicated to working together to advance research, support patients and create hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer. Cover image: Angela Johnson www.redboatimages.com NEARLY $3 MILLION COMMITTED TO RESEARCH FOR 2011 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 27 FOR MOST GRANTS The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has committed almost $3 million to research through its 2011 grants program, representing a 30 percent increase compared to 2010 funding. Since the inception of its grants program in 2003, the organization has awarded 56 grants totaling more than $7.2 million to scientists across the country. As the 2010 grant recipients embark on their proposed research projects, another group of highly talented scientists and clinicians will soon be welcomed into the organization’s research family. The grants program addresses two major barriers to research progress in pancreatic cancer – a sparse research community and limited funding – by attracting and retaining bright investigators to study pancreatic cancer, and supporting their research endeavors to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. In addition to providing funding for research projects, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network also strives to mold future leaders in the field. Three of the research grant mechanisms are specifically designed to support promising scientists early in their careers: Fellowship, Career Development, and Pathway to Leadership awards. Attracting young researchers to pursue careers focused on pancreatic cancer is an ongoing goal of the organization. To accomplish this, mentor relationships are fostered between young researchers and more senior scientists, based on common research interests. Further, grant recipients are given multiple opportunities to interact and present their work to members of the organization’s Scientific Advisory Board and Medical Advisory Council, gaining invaluable insights, advice and the potential for future collaborations. The final grant mechanism is the Innovative Grant, formerly known as the Pilot Grant. Innovative Grants support projects that are novel, pose questions that have not yet been addressed, or utilize unconventional experimental approaches. Independent investigators at any stage of their careers are eligible for Innovative Grants. This mechanism also invites cancer researchers focused on other tumor types to apply their knowledge and expertise to pancreatic cancer, further strengthening and expanding the pancreatic cancer research community. (Note: By press time, the deadline for Letters of Intent for the Innovative Grant had passed.) The 2011 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network grants will once again be administered in partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). AACR’s involvement ensures unbiased funding of the most meritorious research projects, via a rigorous peer-review system, emphasizing originality and scientific credibility. October 2010 OUTREACH Grant applications must be submitted online through proposalCENTRAL (https://proposalcentral.altum.com). The grant terms start July 1, 2011. For additional information, visit http://www.pancan.org/grants or contact Rhonda Aizenberg, PhD, at [email protected]. To learn more about opportunities to provide financial support for our research program, contact Pamela Acosta Marquardt at [email protected]. 2011 GRANTS PROGRAM FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Pathway to Leadership Grant Up to five years of support totaling $600,000 for a highly promising early career scientist beginning in a postdoctoral position and continuing through transition to independence. Eligibility: Applicant must be in the first five years of a postdoctoral or clinical research fellowship (i.e., started a fellowship on or after July 2, 2006) at the beginning of the grant term. Application Deadline: October 27, 2010, Noon ET Fellowship Award One-year grant totaling $45,000 for an early career scientist to support his/her mentored research. Eligibility: Applicant must be in the first three years of a postdoctoral or clinical research fellowship (i.e., started fellowship on or after July 2, 2008) at the beginning of the grant term. Application Deadline: October 27, 2010, Noon ET Career Development Award Two-year grant totaling $200,000 for a newly independent investigator to develop or strengthen a research program in pancreatic cancer. Eligibility: Applicant must be in the first four years of a faculty appointment (i.e., completed postdoctoral/clinical fellowship on or after July 2, 2007) at the beginning of the grant term. Application Deadline: October 27, 2010, Noon ET Innovative Grant Two-year grant totaling $200,000 intended to further the development of new and innovative ideas and approaches, including those successful in other areas of cancer that show promise for pancreatic cancer. Eligibility: Applicant must be an independent junior or senior investigator (not including postdoctoral/clinical fellows). Letter of Intent Deadline: Closed 1 MEET A GRANTEE FRANK MCCORMICK, PHD, FRS: LAUNCHING A NEW ATTACK ON K-RAS Dr. McCormick received the 2010 Fredman Family Foundation – Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – AACR Innovative Grant. The author of several of the most widely cited papers in cancer biology, Dr. McCormick has revolutionized understanding of cancer-causing viruses and identified important regulators of a signaling pathway Frank McCormick, PhD, FRS altered in many cancer types, including pancreatic cancer. He founded Onyx Pharmaceuticals in 1992, where he developed a drug commonly used to treat certain kidney and liver cancers. When the University of California, San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center was founded in 1998, Dr. McCormick was recruited to serve as its director, a position he still holds. While several of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network grant mechanisms cater to young scientists early in their careers, the Innovative Grant is open to independent investigators at any career level. The purpose of this award is to support creative ideas and unconventional experimental approaches. This funding opportunity welcomes projects proposed by more senior investigators for whom pancreatic cancer has not previously been a primary research focus. The knowledge and experience provided by these scientists can greatly enhance progress in pancreatic cancer research. The Innovative Grant is a perfect fit for Dr. McCormick. A great deal of his work has focused on a cell signaling pathway involving a protein called Ras. This protein plays a critical role in signaling that ultimately results in growth, survival, movement, and other cellular properties that, when altered, are traits of cancer cells. Dr. McCormick contributed greatly to the understanding of this pathway by discovering and characterizing additional proteins that are involved in positively and negatively regulating the activated state of Ras. Mutations of Ras and alterations of Ras pathway members are extremely common in cancer, especially pancreatic. In fact, the specific Ras family protein called K-Ras has been shown to be mutated in up to 90 percent of pancreatic tumors. It is well established that K-Ras plays a crucial role in the initiation and maintenance of pancreatic cancer. Because of cancer cells’ dependence on K-Ras signaling, the protein makes an attractive candidate as a therapeutic target. However, previous attempts at targeting K-Ras in pancreatic and other cancers have been unsuccessful. For his funded project, Dr. McCormick proposes developing a drug to block K-Ras in an unconventional manner. Investigators know that the K-Ras protein must be embedded in the cell membrane in order to become active. Rather than attempt to block the protein activity directly, McCormick aims to create a drug that will bind to K-Ras and physically impede its attachment to the cell membrane. McCormick calls his strategy “a new attack on an old target”. When asked what advice he would give to early-career scientists focused on pancreatic cancer, McCormick shared a simple message: “Now is the time. We have the best knowledge, best tools at our disposal to try to make an impact.” K-Ras has proven to be an elusive target to other cancer researchers. Previously, Dr. McCormick focused his attention on observing and understanding Ras and its signaling partners. He is now motivated to find a novel way to block K-Ras activity as a means to treat pancreatic cancer. “Last year, our family funded our first research grant through the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network after losing our beautiful mother to pancreatic cancer. We found comfort in supporting the work of this most worthy organization while at the same time paying tribute to her. This year, we are thrilled to be able to fund an even larger grant to support the innovative thinking that we feel is necessary to one day find a cure. Our family is honored to play a role in helping to shape what is needed to stop this insidious disease.” 2 Fredman family — Fredman Family Foundation (in honor of Ruth Fredman Cernea) October 2010 OUTREACH INCREASED FEDERAL FUNDING URGENTLY NEEDED FOR PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH As one of the country’s leading cancer killers, pancreatic cancer presents a significant challenge for scientists and clinicians to understand, diagnose, and treat. While great strides have been made in fighting other forms of cancer in recent years, breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer have eluded investigators. Pancreatic cancer research has lagged behind that of other cancer types for multiple reasons. First, people do not generally pay much attention to the pancreas. The same goes for doctors, who do not have the means to routinely check their patients’ pancreatic health. If present, symptoms of pancreatic cancer are often quite nonspecific, leading to tragic delays in diagnosis. Because of the location and diverse functions of the organ, and a lack of obvious symptoms, the majority of pancreatic tumors are diagnosed late, when surgery is no longer a feasible option. Surgery is the most effective way to treat pancreatic cancer, but the majority of patients are not viable candidates. Although numerous combinations of chemotherapeutics, targeted drugs, and radiation have been tested to treat pancreatic cancer, few beneficial treatment options currently exist. Improved diagnostic tools and therapies have revolutionized the management of other cancer types. Bright and hard-working doctors and scientists worldwide tirelessly strive to bring the same successes to pancreatic cancer. However, none of these advances will be possible without adequate funding and other needed resources. The vast majority of biomedical research conducted in the United States is funded by the government, via the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Within the NIH, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) supports research on cancer. In 2009, the NCI dedicated a mere two percent of its total budget to research grants focused on pancreatic cancer. For decades, pancreatic cancer has received a similar fraction of NCI dollars, representing dramatically less funding than its societal health toll demands. The funding awarded to other cancer types, such as breast and prostate, eclipses that allotted to pancreatic cancer. Consequently, the diseases which receive the larger amounts of funding generally see greater research advancements and subsequent clinical improvements. The successes seen in breast, prostate, and other cancer types serve as evidence that the appropriate combination of bright minds, hard work, and ample research funds can and will lead to similar advances in pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment. Through its grants program, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is dedicated to attracting and retaining bright scientists to study pancreatic cancer. (See page 1.) Additionally, the organization encourages increased federal research funding by meeting directly with the NCI staff, educating Members of Congress and promoting legislation urging the NCI to create a strategic plan and targeted research program to address pancreatic cancer. The combination of these efforts with enhanced cooperation from the NCI will be necessary to make pancreatic cancer progress a reality. SU2C DREAM TEAM OPENS CLINICAL TRIAL Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), a charitable initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, was formed in 2008 to support groundbreaking research aimed at delivering new cancer treatments to patients in an accelerated timeframe. In 2009, SU2C awarded an unprecedented $18 million grant to fund a scientific dream team focused on studying pancreatic cancer. The pancreatic cancer dream team comprises scientists from notable institutions across the U.S. and is led by Daniel Von Hoff, MD, Director of the Clinical Translational Research Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), and Craig Thompson, MD, Director of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. The researchers on this team are working to better understand how pancreatic tumors utilize glucose and/ October 2010 OUTREACH or glutamine as fuel. Meanwhile, members of the team at Johns Hopkins University (Drs. Dan Laheru and Ana De Jesus) recently opened a Phase II clinical trial to test the effectiveness of a new targeted agent in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The Phase II trial involves a new drug targeting the hedgehog pathway, called GDC-0449, used in combination with gemcitabine (Gemzar®) and nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane®). Scientists have demonstrated that the hedgehog pathway plays a role in maintaining a dense layer around the tumor, which is thought to prevent drug delivery to it. To learn more about this clinical trial or other pancreatic cancer treatment options, contact the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's PALS program toll-free at 877-272-6226, M-F 7am-5pm Pacific Time or e-mail [email protected]. 3 FOURTH ANNUAL PANCREATIC CANCER ADVOCACY DAY AND NATIONAL CALL-IN HAILED AS NOTABLE SUCCESS Nearly 1,000 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network supporters from across the nation joined forces to support the fourth annual Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day and the National Call-In in June. On June 21, more than 400 advocates gathered in Washington, D.C. and were trained on up-to-the-minute advocacy messaging, Congressional strategy, and powerful ways of strengthening the impact of advocacy efforts in their own c o m m u n i t ies. The f o l l o w i n g day, the supporters traveled to Capitol Hill to share their stories and ask their Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor the Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act (S. 3220/H.R. Capitol Hill was awash in purple on June 745), a bill that 22, when more than 400 advocates carried will ensure that the bags with advocacy messaging. National Cancer Institute (NCI) creates a strategic plan to make progress in pancreatic cancer research. Cancer Research & Education Act, it is even more important that we continue our efforts,” said Megan Gordon Don, Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy. “First, we need you to ask your U.S. Representative to do everything that they The Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act (S. 3320/H.R.745) U.S. Senators co-sponsoring*: 26% (26/100 Senators) U.S. Representatives co-sponsoring*: 56.3% (245/435 Reps.) *As of Sept. 30, 2010 can to bring H.R. 745 to a vote and to get it passed before they return home this year. If the bill doesn’t pass before the House adjourns, though, we’ll need to work together to get all of our co-sponsors back on board, as well as many new ones when they return in January 2011.” “We’ll keep you posted on the latest developments at www.pancan.org/TakeAction,” she added. “We’ll need your help either way. This is truly an exciting time to be involved in advocacy. When the bill passes, not only will it mean critical pancreatic cancer research funding and essential accountability at the NCI, but we will be able to celebrate having made history together.” During the National Call-In on June 22, more than 2,000 calls were placed to more than 340 Congressional offices, echoing similar requests that were put forth during the in-person meetings with legislators in Washington, D.C. The combined efforts resulted in securing the support of more than half of the U.S. House of Representatives and one-fifth of the U.S. Senate for the bill. The efforts also enabled us to begin an impressive push forward to call for Congress to bring the bill to a vote. “Now that we have secured significant bi-partisan support for the Pancreatic 4 Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day participants who met with Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL), third from left, included, from left, Medical Advisory Council Chair Mark Talamonti, MD, survivor Judy Sarvas, Claudia Trapp, Brittney Talamonti, Jason Talamonti and Anne Talamonti. October 2010 OUTREACH Twin Cities Affiliate advocate and PurpleRide Minneapolis Co-founder Renita Van Dusen gestures as she boards a bus bound for Capitol Hill. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Board Member Jai Pausch prepares her son, Dylan, before he speaks as his brother, Logan, looks on at Advocacy Day training. Boston Advocacy Coordinator Yadhav Jayaraman and his family appeared at several Congressional meetings during Advocacy Day. From left, advocate Fred Brindisi, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Board Member and survivor Stuart Rickerson, and advocate Silvana Brindisi strategize for their meetings with their Members of Congress. Boise Affiliate Coordinator and survivor John Bradley advocated with his sons Ian and Rae at the event. Senate Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), second from left, met with advocates, from left, Lisa Hamburg, survivor Stuart Jed, Shannon Wood, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network President and CEO Julie Fleshman and Ginnie Jed. SAVE THE DATE Pancreatic Cancer Advocacy Day 2011 June 13 and 14 • Washington, D.C. Registration opens during Winter 2011. To learn more, visit www.pancan.org/AdvocacyDay October 2010 OUTREACH 5 BE A HERO THIS FALL On September 14, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network launched its annual fall campaign designed to raise awareness, increase advocacy and grow the community of supporters committed to finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. As with the 2009 campaign, an interactive, user-friendly site was created that not only engages visitors, but gives them the tools they need to become effective advocates for the cause. The campaign precedes Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November. This year’s theme is Be a Hero in the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer: Know It. Fight It. End It. The campaign will focus on two areas: 1.) engaging supporters to explain why they or their loved ones are heroes in the fight and 2.) activating the organization’s base of supporters to take one simple action every day between the launch of the Hero campaign on September 14 and November 30 to heighten awareness of the disease. “We want to show people that not only can anyone be a hero in the fight against pancreatic cancer, but that together we are an even stronger force that can make a real difference,” said Lisa Gilmour, Director of Marketing and Communications. “On the homepage of our Hero website, we’ll feature five personal videos, which started with the launch of a touching message from Lisa Niemi Swayze on September 14, the first anniversary of the passing of her husband, Patrick Swayze. We are thrilled that Lisa has agreed to support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to honor Patrick’s memory and to help further our mission by bringing more attention to the disease.” Other supporters can also help spread the word by visiting the organization’s new Hero website at www.knowitfightitendit.org to find simple yet highly impactful actions anyone can take to help make a difference. “These include sending a letter to your elected officials, wearing purple to work, mailing a letter to the editor of your local paper, or forwarding the many compelling and personal hero stories on our website to friends and family to help spread the word about the need for more awareness,” Lisa Gilmour added. An interactive, downloadable “action” calendar featuring suggestions for daily activities is also available on the site. The calendar offers advocates, volunteers and supporters a wide variety of ways to take action, with a strong focus on advocacy actions to reach out to elected officials about the need to cosponsor the Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act. In addition to the calendar, patient and supporter stories will be featured throughout the site, along with additional information and resources about other ways to become an advocate for the cure. Do your part today and encourage everyone you know to visit www.knowitfightitendit.org. LISA NIEMI SWAYZE TO SERVE AS ORGANIZATION SPOKESPERSON Writer, director and best-selling author Lisa Niemi Swayze will serve as a spokesperson for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to build awareness of the disease that took the life of her husband, Patrick Swayze, in 2009. In addition to helping launch the organization’s annual fall campaign that precedes Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November, Lisa will be presented with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Spirit of Hope Award at the 13th annual An Evening with the Stars gala on October 30. She will also appear in public service announcements and serve as a guest speaker at various events for the organization. “I joined forces with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in honor of Patrick, because I know it would mean a lot to him if his illness made a difference in the lives of others,” Lisa said. “My involvement is the best way I know of to make progress in fighting this terrible disease.” Along with Patrick, Lisa co-wrote his memoir entitled "The Time of My Life," which provides a behind-the-scenes look at their success in Hollywood and their remarkable love story. The book was a “New York Times" Best Seller, debuting at number four on the newspaper's list, as well as an international best seller. Lisa currently divides her time between Los Angeles and her ranch in New Mexico. 6 October 2010 OUTREACH PATIENT NAVIGATION OUTREACH PROGRAM LAUNCHED The Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) program of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is pleased to announce the launch of an innovative outreach effort called the Patient Navigation Outreach Program. The endeavor is intended to improve certain patterns of pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment and ensure that pancreatic cancer patients and their caregivers are made aware of the resources and information available through the PALS program. Healthcare professionals not only play a critical role in the diagnosis and care of pancreatic cancer patients but are also uniquely positioned to refer them and their caregivers to useful resources and support services. Therefore, the program will focus on equipping the healthcare community with the information, tools and resources they can use to effectively meet the needs of pancreatic cancer patients and their caregivers. Pancreatic cancer is very difficult to diagnose, with no established screening or early detection tools. Diagnosis is often made in the late stages of the disease. The first goal of the program is to encourage healthcare professionals to appropriately consider pancreatic cancer when diagnosing a patient with specific symptoms. “By encouraging physicians to keep pancreatic cancer in mind and to consider the disease as a possible diagnosis when examining their patients, we hope to shorten the length of time between an initial doctor’s visit and an eventual diagnosis of pancreatic cancer,” said Anitra Talley, Director of the PALS program. The second goal of the program is to encourage physicians who are diagnosing pancreatic cancer patients to refer them to a surgeon who treats a high volume of pancreatic cancer patients, to an oncologist who focuses on gastrointestinal or pancreatic cancer, or to an institution conducting clinical trials for pancreatic cancer. This approach will ensure that such patients are made aware of treatment options available to them and are able to make informed decisions about their care. Lastly, the third goal of the Patient Navigation Outreach Program is to continue to raise awareness about the PALS program among healthcare professionals so more patients facing the disease have access to its services. Through a cost-free information line, the PALS program provides personalized, up-to-date information about the disease, clinical trials, treatment options, diet and nutrition, side effect and symptom management and support resources. The PALS program educates pancreatic cancer patients and their caregivers about many aspects of the disease and connects them with needed resources so that they are well-equipped and empowered to make informed decisions about care and treatment. “To deliver the messages aligned with the program to a broad audience of healthcare professionals, PALS will use a variety of tactics to heighten awareness,” Tally added. “These outreach methods will include a far-reaching media campaign, new educational materials, in-person outreach at medical meetings and conferences, targeted mailings and community-level outreach performed by volunteers in communities nationwide.” For more information about the Patient Navigation Outreach Program or to contact a PALS Associate for information about pancreatic cancer, call PALS toll-free at 877-272-6226, Monday-Friday from 7am-5pm Pacific Time or e-mail [email protected]. THE PALETTE FUND SUPPORTS INNOVATIVE NEW PROGRAM The Palette Fund, a foundation that honors the legacy of Rand Skolnick, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2008, has graciously partnered with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to fund the Patient Navigation Outreach Program. “We are deeply grateful to The Palette Fund for funding this important program,” said Anitra Talley, Director of the Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) program. “Through their generosity, Rand’s vision is being realized, and his philanthropic legacy is honored through collaborative grant-making and programs that value human rights and education. This program definitely furthers these goals, as it will positively impact the thousands of people who must face this disease each year.” October 2010 OUTREACH The Palette Fund hopes to create a groundswell of consciousness and change to find new ways to bring Rand’s philanthropic legacy and aid to as many people and causes as possible, as well as to inspire people to join a grassroots movement to help others in need. In the end, they hope that one man’s death will better the lives of thousands of others. “The pancreatic cancer community will undoubtedly benefit in countless ways because of the generosity and commitment of The Palette Fund and their vision to support the Patient Navigation Outreach Program as a tribute to the memory of Rand,” she added. To find out more, visit www.thepalettefund.org. 7 PANCREATIC CANCER STUDY RESULTS PRESENTED AT AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY MEETING At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, held in Chicago from June 4 to 8, 2010, investigators shared results of several clinical trials for the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Summaries of a selection of these studies appear below. the experimental group was demonstrated and the patients’ overall survival was comparable between the arms. PHASE III RESULTS PHASE II RESULTS In a Phase III study conducted in France, metastatic pancreatic cancer patients who were treated with a chemotherapy regimen called FOLFIRINOX, consisting of the drugs 5-FU, leucovorin, irinotecan and oxaliplatin, were compared to patients treated with the current standard of care, gemcitabine (Gemzar) alone. All 342 patients enrolled in the study were otherwise healthy and had received no previous treatment. A Phase II study presented at the meeting compared gemcitabine alone to two other combinations: a targeted therapy drug called conatumumab plus gemcitabine, and another targeted therapy drug called AMG 479 plus gemcitabine. This study evaluated 125 otherwise healthy patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who had not received prior treatment. Encouragingly, patients treated with the FOLFIRINOX regimen survived 11.1 months on average, compared to 6.8 months for those treated with gemcitabine. These results suggest that FOLFIRINOX may be considered for those with metastatic pancreatic cancer who are healthy enough to withstand potential side effects. This study reflected the first positive Phase III clinical trial for such patients since 2005. Patients treated with FOLFIRINOX experienced worse, yet manageable, side effects. These side effects included low white-blood cell and platelet count, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea and numbness or pain in the hands and feet. Another Phase III trial, conducted in Germany, enrolled 281 patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. The first group was treated with gemcitabine plus erlotinib (Tarceva) followed by capecitabine (Xeloda), a common treatment regimen. The second, and experimental, group was treated with capecitabine plus erlotinib, followed by gemcitabine. In both groups, the patients were initially treated with the combination therapies and then received the second-line drug if their cancer progressed. Study investigators compared the length of time until the second-line treatment was discontinued in each group. They sought to determine if this length of time would be non-inferior in the experimental group. The non-inferiority of The study did not reveal a new treatment regimen but showed that investigators may choose to consider building on capecitabine when developing new first-line regimens. Researchers wanted to learn if either of the new combinations showed better overall survival than gemcitabine alone. No significant differences in overall survival were seen, but investigators did see a trend towards longer length of time before the disease began to progress in both combination arms. While more information is needed to draw any conclusions about these regimens, the combinations were well tolerated and warrant further study. Additionally, a Phase I/II study of Rexin-G, a targeted genetic drug, was presented. This study looked at the safety and efficacy of Rexin-G as a treatment for metastatic pancreatic cancer that progressed after treatment with gemcitabine. Fifteen patients were given one of three dose-levels of Rexin-G for four weeks followed by additional treatment if they did not experience significant side effects. Overall, no significant toxicities were seen and there appeared to be a correlation between overall survival and the cumulative amount of Rexin-G administered. This evidence suggests that Rexin-G may control tumor growth and prolong survival, so further clinical studies are warranted. For more information about these studies or treatment options, or for a personalized clinical trial search, contact Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) toll-free MondayFriday from 7am-5pm, Pacific Time, at 877-272-6226 or e-mail [email protected]. UPCOMING 2011 PANCREATIC CANCER EDUCATIONAL EVENTS Join us for information presented by leaders in the field and networking opportunities with other patients, survivors, caregivers and family members. Washington, D.C. March 19/ Renaissance Washington, D.C. Chicago April 15/ Hyatt Regency Chicago Seattle May 20/ Sheraton Seattle Hotel Go to 8 www.pancan.org for more information and to register. Information about fall educational lectures held nationwide is available as well. October 2010 OUTREACH A STORY OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION By Denny LaVercombe, Helena, Ala. Denny and Jan LaVercombe with their grandchildren, from left, Chris, Amber, Kailey, Trent and Grant In April 2005, at the age of 65, I experienced the first indication that something was wrong with my health. At that time, several people approached me at a youth baseball game and mentioned, “You must be playing a lot of golf lately because you’ve got a tan.” My wife said it was actually yellow, not tan. An internist’s exam confirmed I did not have a suntan but jaundice, and I was referred to a gastroenterologist for tests to determine the cause. This doctor’s opinion was that my problem was caused by one of three things: gallstones, cancer in the bile duct or pancreatic cancer. Soon, I was sent to a local hospital for surgery. Despite the surgeon’s positive outlook, I had only been in surgery for an hour when the doctors found that a fist-sized tumor on my pancreas was too large and too close to a major blood vessel to be removed. So the surgeon inserted a temporary bypass around the tumor, closed me up and said it was incurable and I had six months to a year to live. They suggested chemotherapy and radiation to extend my life. During that period of both chemotherapy and radiation treatments, friends and family convinced me to get a second opinion from a doctor who specialized in pancreatic cancer. So I made an appointment at a regional comprehensive cancer center with a surgeon who specialized in pancreatic surgeries. However, because of the location of the tumor and my age, the prospect of surgery remained daunting. I remember the second surgeon asking me how badly I wanted to live, since the surgery is difficult and so is the recovery. During this stressful time, my wife was my biggest supporter. She said we were going to fight this disease to the last day. When one has that kind of emotional support, that is half the battle. In January 2006, the tumor had shrunk to one centimeter and I underwent a successful Whipple procedure. The doctors said that I was cancer-free. About six months later, in July of 2006, I was shocked to learn that the cancer had returned to my liver. Under the care of a new oncologist, I was prescribed a more aggressive regimen of chemotherapy and a targeted drug in pill form called Tarceva. By January 2007, a CT scan determined the spots on my liver had disappeared, so I stopped chemotherapy but stayed on the daily Tarceva pill. My cancer was no longer visible and my life pretty much returned to normal. A few months later, however, I experienced yet another reoccurrence of cancer in the bile duct and I went through another six months of chemotherapy, which I successfully completed in September 2007. My experience with pancreatic cancer is a continual journey. When one goes through something like this, it changes one’s whole perspective on life. I knew the statistics, but I’m proud to be a five-year survivor. I also credit my faith and my family’s support for helping me to beat those statistics. This year I will be celebrating my 71st birthday and my wife and I will celebrate our 48th wedding anniversary. I want to tell other pancreatic cancer patients never to give up and to live life to the fullest every day. PATIENT AND LIAISON SERVICES (PALS) Looking for information about pancreatic cancer? PALS offers comprehensive, high-quality information and resources for patients and caregivers facing pancreatic cancer, including information about the disease, treatment options, clinical trials, side effect and symptom management, diet and nutrition, and support resources. To learn more or to order a complimentary education packet, contact a PALS Associate. El programa de PALS esta disponible en español. Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) Monday - Friday, 7am - 5pm Pacific Time October 2010 OUTREACH Toll-free: 877-272-6226 | E-mail: [email protected] 9 VOLUNTEERING FOR LEADERSHIP The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is grateful for the support of thousands of volunteers actively participating in more than 70 affiliates around the country. Through such volunteer support, more than $6 million (gross) was raised in FY 2009-'10 through fundraising events that also generated significant awareness. To ensure our volunteers receive the best resources and support possible, the Volunteer Advisory Council (VAC), comprising 15 volunteers from affiliates around the country, provides invaluable leadership and insight throughout the year. “We rely on the perspective and guidance of VAC members when making many decisions affecting our volunteers,” said Mary Jo Kennedy, Director of Community Outreach. “This year, they were particularly instrumental in shaping our Community Outreach Leadership Training, recrafting the volunteer newsletter and Toolbox, revising our comprehensive event e-blast policy, and developing branding for our PurpleStride ™ and TEAMHOPE® events,” she added. “I was thrilled to be invited onto the Volunteer Advisory Council,” Tammy Andries, a Madison volunteer and a pancreatic cancer survivor, said. “I have a background in media and marketing and hoped I could make it easier for other affiliates to raise the awareness of this disease. What I like is that we all have a voice in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. We can talk with our volunteers and share their suggestions or concerns and we know we are being heard." In addition to Tammy, other VAC members include: Ayme Zemke, Twin Cities Media Representative Christina Tabarrini, Philadelphia Co-Affiliate Coordinator Debbie Herrero and Nicole Trella, New Jersey Affiliate Co-coordinators Gael Sandoval, Detroit Affiliate Coordinator Greg Petrosewicz, Austin Affiliate Coordinator Gretchen Guerra, past Denver Affiliate Coordinator Jay Stern, Oklahoma Affiliate Coordinator John Cravero, Chicago Affiliate Coordinator Ken Cunzeman, Baltimore Affiliate Coordinator Michelle Monhart, Bay Area Affiliate Coordinator Sandra Martin, Florida, Tampa Bay Affiliate Coordinator Stephanie Pisarski, St. Louis Event Coordinator Susan Okula, National Capital Area Affiliate Coordinator CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR VOLUNTEER LEADERS Thanks are due to the following volunteers who began new leadership roles from June 1 to August 31, 2010. Betsy Anteau, Event Coordinator, Indianapolis Terri Bertoli, Community Representative, Tucson Katie Boucher, Education/Outreach Coordinator, Providence Elisa Bowling, Education/Outreach Coordinator, Atlanta John Bradley, Affiliate Coordinator, Boise Kathryn Brekle, Event Coordinator, Birmingham Brenda Coleman, Affiliate Coordinator, Twin Cities (MN) Heather Costello, Education/Outreach Coordinator, Columbus Lisa Carranza-Habib, Community Representative, Jackson (WY) Erin Corwin, Affiliate Coordinator, Cleveland Amy Cunningham, Education/Outreach Coordinator, Philadelphia Whitney Davidson, Media Representative, Birmingham Danielle Dietz, Event Coordinator, Los Angeles Emily Hanson, Media Representative, Columbus Paige Hawkins, Education and Outreach Coordinator, Richmond (VA) Ginnie Jed, Community Representative, Reno-Tahoe Kira Johns, Education/Outreach Coordinator, Columbus Teri Larson, Education/Outreach Coordinator, Twin Cities (MN) 10 Dennis LaVercombe, Advocacy Coordinator, Birmingham Feme Liaz, Event Coordinator, Philadelphia Michelle Lozano, Event Coordinator, Houston Tara Maloney Wheeler, Affiliate Coordinator, Wilmingon (DE) Suzy Marshall, Community Representative, Honolulu Kimberly McFadden, Community Representative, Anchorage Justen Meyer, Event Coordinator, St. Louis Daniel Morris, Media Representative, Boise Diane Pursel, Event Coordinator, Omaha Kara Rocha, Event Coordinator, Providence Diane Schooley-Pettis, Education and Outreach Coordinator, Boise Eric Stark, Event Coordinator, Boise Wendy Stoneberg, Advocacy Coordinator, Boise Michael Timmermann, Media Representative, Los Angeles Kim Trupiano, Media Representative, Providence Lori Turner, Community Representative, Charlotte Margot Vela, Event Coordinator, Houston Elaine Wencil, Education and Outreach Coordinator, Philadelphia Gibbie Whelehan, Community Representative, Salt Lake City Teresa Young, Event Coordinator, Cleveland October 2010 OUTREACH EVENTS SUMMARY JUNE – SEPTEMBER 2010 CALIFORNIA 8th Annual Walk Through the Vineyards, St. Helena, 6/12/2010 3rd Annual Day With the Sacramento Rivercats, 6/20/2010 Awareness Day With the Angels, Anaheim, 7/17/2010 Timothy J. Marsh Fishing For A Cure, San Diego, 7/17/2010 3rd Annual Fundraiser for a Cure in Memory of Bridget Fisher, Anaheim, 8/1/2010 Awareness Night With the Giants, San Francisco, 7/30/2010 Strikeout Pancreatic Cancer With the OC Flyers, Fullerton, 8/21/2010 Awareness Night With the Dodgers, Los Angeles, 9/3/2010 Awareness Night With the Los Angeles Galaxy, 9/11/2010 PurpleNight Out at Coyote Cantina, Redondo Beach, 9/27/2010 COLORADO PurpleStride Pikes Peak 2010, Colorado Springs, 7/31/2010 PurpleStride Western Slope 2010, Montrose, 8/21/2010 PurpleStride Golden Gallop 2010, Golden, 9/11/2010 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PurpleStride Washington, D.C. 2010, 6/19/2010 FLORIDA Awareness Night With the Manatees, Viera, 7/17/2010 Art for the Cure, Altamonte Springs, 8/28/2010 PurpleStride Jacksonville 2010, 9/18/2010 IDAHO Awareness Night with the Boise Hawks, 8/14/2010 PurpleRide Spoke-d'Alene 2010, Spokane to Coeur d'Alene, 8/28/2010 IOWA PurpleStride Iowa 2010, West Des Moines, 9/25/2010 LOUISIANA Corks N Canvas, Baton Rouge, 7/25/2010 Awareness Night With the Zephyrs, Metairie, 7/29/2010 MARYLAND PurpleSwim Baltimore 2010 In Memory of Bud Beatty, 8/8/2010 PurpleStride Maryland 2010, Cockeysville, 10/10/2010 MASSACHUSETTS Dough-Raisers Fundraiser at Uno Chicago Grill, Boston, 6/6/2010 Potluck Family Picnic, Pine Banks Park, 8/28/10 October 2010 OUTREACH MICHIGAN PurpleStride Detroit 2010, 9/12/2010 MINNESOTA Awareness Night With the Twins, 7/17/2010 PurpleRide Twin Cities 2010, 9/19/2010 PurpleStride Rochester 2010, 9/26/2010 MISSOURI Hospital Hill Run 2010, Kansas City, 6/5/2010 Purple Night Out 2: St. Louis, Rock Hill, 6/23/2010 Awareness Day With the Cardinals, St. Louis, 8/13/2010 NORTH CAROLINA PurpleBowl Raleigh-Durham 2010, 8/14/2010 NEW JERSEY Awareness Day With the Somerset Patriots, 7/18/2010 NEW YORK Awareness Night With the New York Mets, 7/28/2010 PurpleStride Long Island 2010 in Memory of Jimi Lee, 9/26/2010 OHIO PurpleStride Cleveland 2010, 6/12/2010 Garage Sale, Worthington, 7/17/2010 PurpleStride Central Ohio 2010, Clifton, 9/18/2010 PENNSYLVANIA Awareness Night With the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6/18/2010 PurpleStride Pittsburgh 2010 "Pick Up The Pace", 8/15/2010 Awareness Night With NEPA Miners Football, 8/14/2010 TENNESSEE PurpleStride Chattanooga 2010, 10/10/2010 TEXAS Awareness Night With the Round Rock Express, 7/21/2010 PurpleStride Austin 2010, 9/25/2010 WASHINGTON Awareness Day With the Seattle Mariners, 8/29/2010 WEST VIRGINIA Purple Power Night 2010, Charleston, 7/9/2010 WISCONSIN Night at Tazino's, Oak Creek, 6/9/2010 Awareness Night With the Mallards, Madison, 8/11/2010 PurpleStride Madison 2010, 9/19/2010 11 CORPORATE CHAMPIONS CONTINUE THE FIGHT The second annual TempurPedic® Hugs Back campaign launched this month with the release of a new and very cuddly cream-colored teddy bear. The company is again joining with their retailers across the country to participate in the well-received awareness and fundraising initiative. “Thanks to Tempur-Pedic retailers who participated in the first campaign last year, the 2009 Hugs Back campaign generated essential financial support for our inaugural Pathway to Leadership award, a five-year research grant that was given to Zeshaan Rasheed, MD, PhD, a leading pancreatic cancer researcher at Johns Hopkins University,” said Pamela Acosta Marquardt, Founder and Director of Donor and Corporate Relations. “By helping to fund this grant, Tempur-Pedic and these retailers made an immediate and indelible impression on research into the disease.” “One of our organization's research priorities is to attract brilliant scientists and help them develop successful careers in pancreatic cancer research,” added Julie Fleshman, President and CEO. “We are very thankful to Tempur-Pedic and their generous retailers for helping us to further this goal. The Hugs Back campaign continues to generate tremendous excitement and hope throughout the pancreatic cancer community.” Tempur-Pedic is the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s first national corporate sponsor to make a substantial, multi-year commitment to the fight against the disease. This year's Hugs Back campaign begins on October 15 and will run throughout the fall while supplies of the teddy bears last. Volunteers and supporters nationwide are encouraged to visit their local participating Tempur-Pedic retailer and give them some “hugs back” to thank them for their support of and commitment to our cause. For more information about the 2010 Tempur-Pedic Hugs Back campaign, visit www.tempurpedichugsback.com. NHL HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER NAMED AS CHARITABLE LEAGUE PARTNER The National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players' Association have named the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network as a charitable league partner for their Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Month during October for the upcoming 2010-'11 season. In addition, the NHL and NHL Players' Association will partially fund a pancreatic cancer research grant through a generous donation to the organization. “We’re thrilled to be working with the NHL to bring muchneeded national attention to this dreadful disease and are very grateful to both the NHL and NHL Players' Association for their support and generosity,” said Brian Doremus, Director of Corporate Relations. “As part of Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Month, the NHL league office has also asked NHL member teams to help Pancreatic Cancer Action Network volunteer affiliates across the country raise awareness and funds during October.” Hockey Fights Cancer is a component of the NHL's "Biggest Assist Happens Off the Ice" campaign, the league's longstanding tradition of addressing important social issues in North America and worldwide. Hockey Fights Cancer is a joint initiative by the NHL and the NHL Players' Association to raise money and awareness for hockey's most important fight. To date, more than $11 million has been raised to support national and local cancer research institutions, children's hospitals, player charities and various cancer organizations. To learn more, visit www.nhl.com and click on “Hockey Fights Cancer”. KEEP THE MEMORY ALIVE A wonderful way to pay ongoing tribute to your loved one while raising awareness and funding for the fight against pancreatic cancer. 12 www.firstgiving.com/keepthememoryalive October 2010 OUTREACH REMEMBERING RANDY: A LEGACY OF LOVE more federal funding for research. Randy sat on the board of directors as the organization’s first treasurer. After his death, I became a board member to continue to provide hope and direction to others. Randy and Judy Stein On January 22, 1997, my husband, Randy Stein, was diagnosed with stage-four, inoperable pancreatic cancer, with metastases to the spleen and kidneys. At that time, the doctors told us he only had three months to live. Healthcare professionals, friends, and family tried to help, but they really didn’t have any experience in dealing with the disease. The Internet only provided dire statistics and we did not know of any survivors. Ultimately, we found great medical care, and we dealt with each challenge as it presented itself. In spite of that frightening news and the lack of information available back then, Randy lived for more than eight years following his diagnosis. Those years were filled with travel and celebrations, and we appreciated each day because we gained new insight into the importance of living. During our journey, we met a woman named Pamela Acosta Marquardt, who had just founded the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and she asked us to get involved. This opportunity enabled us to help create a sorely needed resource for information on the disease and to help support awareness for a cancer that had previously been ignored. We joined other patients, caregivers, and activists in this effort and found great satisfaction in giving back. We raised money through the organization’s annual An Evening with the Stars gala, and traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for During the most trying time of our life together, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network offered us a lifeline for support, and we were able to connect with hundreds of others who were in our same situation. Over the years, the organization grew, and became the national leader in the fight against the disease. After Randy’s death, I wanted to do something meaningful to keep his memory alive. I really wanted to make a large donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network because it had been such a large part of our lives, but I knew Randy would want me to take care of myself first financially. After careful consideration, I came up with a plan to meet both of these goals. I began donating money to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network as my finances allowed and volunteering whenever I could. Eventually, I decided to donate part of my estate to the organization. When I was making these preparations, I found there were many types of other planned giving vehicles, too. I even found some that could provide income for me for the rest of my life and support the organization at the same time. Having the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in my will enables me to always feel connected to the cause while still being able to go on with my life like Randy would have wanted. I know that this organization will always be a part of my life, so I am glad to support it in any way I can. Hopefully, my contributions will help the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to continue fulfilling its mission until a cure is found. Find out how easy it is to create a legacy that will touch many lives for years to come. To learn more, call Pamela Acosta Marquardt at 877-272-6226 or e-mail her at [email protected]. CREATE A LEGACY GIFT A legacy gift ensures that your estate will benefit countless lives affected by pancreatic cancer. A planned gift to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a wonderful way to help us fulfill our important mission. To learn more about creating a bequest, or other planned giving options,13please October 2010 OUTREACH contact Pamela Acosta Marquardt at [email protected] or at 877-272-6226. Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Torrance, CA Permit No.473 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Ste 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245 MAKE EVERY AWARENESS COUNT! Join us to know it, fight it, end it and help make awareness count all the time. Shop our online store for your purple apparel, accessories, and more. WWW.PANCAN.ORG/STORE TO CONTACT US If your address is incorrect, or you are receiving duplicate copies of this publication, you may submit changes in one of three ways: e-mail [email protected]; update the label and mail it to Outreach/ PanCAN, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245; or call 877-272-6226. By giving the code number that appears above your name, your request can be processed quickly. Thank you for helping us to manage our expenses. CALENDAR OF EVENTS DATE EVENT NAME CITY, STATE CONTACT 10/17/2010 6th Annual "Time for Hope" Benefit Oak Forest, IL Audrey Montalto at [email protected] 10/17/2010 PurpleStride St. Louis 2010 St. Louis, MO Stephanie Pisarski at [email protected] 11/4/2010 4th Annual Night of Hope - Tampa Bay 2010 Tampa, FL Carol Ferguson at [email protected] 11/6/2010 PurpleStride South Florida Davie/Ft. Lauderdale, FL Kimberly Spelman at [email protected] 11/6/2010 PurpleStride Savannah 2010 Tybee Island, GA Shelly Foster at [email protected] 11/6/2010 PurpleStride Philadelphia 2010 Philadelphia, PA Donna Deoria at [email protected] 11/6/2010 PurpleStride San Antonio 2010 San Antonio, TX Jenny Finkbiner at [email protected] 11/6/2010 Jazzed for Hope 2010 Madison, WI Julie Jacobs at [email protected] 11/7/2010 PurpleStride Orlando 2010 Orlando, FL Diane Germ at [email protected] 11/7/2010 PurpleStride Raleigh-Durham 2010 Raleigh, NC Marisa Grant at [email protected] 11/7/2010 PurpleStride Danbury 2010 Danbury, CT Kristen Angell at [email protected] 11/7/2010 PurpleStride New Jersey 2010 Parsippany, NJ Nicole Trella at [email protected] 11/7/2010 PurpleStride Portland 2010 Portland, OR Ariane Chapple at [email protected] 11/7/2010 PurpleStride Puget Sound 2010 Bellevue, WA Chelsea Orvella at [email protected] 11/13/2010 PurpleStride Atlanta 2010 Atlanta, GA Nancy Freedman at [email protected] 11/13/2010 PurpleStride Orange County 2010 Irvine, CA Roberta Luna at [email protected] 11/13/2010 PurpleStride San Diego 2010 Bonita, CA Lily Villaverde at [email protected] 11/14/2010 PurpleStride DFW 2010 Dallas, TX Mary Jo Jennings at [email protected] 12/5/2010 PurpleStride Lake Area 2010 Lake Charles, LA Kristi Remy at [email protected] 14 October 2010 OUTREACH join us on Facebook follow us on Twitter watch us on YouTube