4 Years After Losing Her Best Friend, Mari Demands Better for Canadians Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer During Novembers Awareness Month

ONTARIO, Nov. 1, 2021 /CNW/ - "Not a day goes by where I don't see her smile or hear her hearty laugh," reminisces Mari Spano. It's been 4 years since Spano of Hamilton, Ontario, lost her best friend, Kerry Halcovitch, to the shocking diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Halcovitch, a picture of health up to 4 weeks before her passing, had run and cycled thousands of kilometers,  through many provinces with Spano over the years.

Knowing that November 1st is the start of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and that November 18th, 2021 is World Pancreatic Cancer Day, Spano has registered for Light Up the Lake - Canada and created a team in memory of Halcovitich. "My participation in this event will not bring Kerry back but it will help others in the future. Kerry would have wanted this. She was always helping others." Spano states that, "We can no longer be bystanders in this fight against pancreatic cancer! Canadians need to get involved and bring awareness to this aggressive cancer."

The impact of COVID-19 on Canada's cancer care programs throughout the country has been significant. "The pandemic put a hold on many things in the world, but not pancreatic cancer. An estimated 6,300 Canadians will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year," says Stefanie Condon-Oldreive, Founder/Director of Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society.  "However, the pandemic means that pancreatic cancer patients are experiencing delays in diagnosis resulting in even fewer treatment options and significant stress for them and their families. It is already the case that 50% of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer  die within the 4 months of diagnosis. We are bracing for survival rates to worsen -  and know we will need  to fight hard  to  combat the negative effects of disrupted cancer interventions that may be with us for years to come.

Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society is calling on all Canadians to come together for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and World Pancreatic Cancer Day, to honour the 92% of Canadians who do    not survive a diagnosis and support efforts to do more for everyone whose life is impacted by this devastating disease.

The proceeds from Light up the Lake will enable Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society to support more people who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, as well as their families. Including providing financial support for those with limited income.

Funding will also support innovative cancer research and healthcare education initiatives, such as North America's first accredited Pancreatic Cancer e-Learning Module for General Practitioners. "Increased understanding about best practises in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease is essential. It is imperative that we accelerate knowledge and use innovative resources to reach all physicians whether in rural or urban centres."

Visit craigscause.ca/get-involved to learn more, sponsor a participant, or to register.

SOURCE Craig''s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society

Stefanie Condon-Oldreive, Founder of Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society, [email protected], [phone]; Helen Wright, Director of Marketing & Communications, [email protected], [phone]; Mari Spano, Court Reporter, [email protected] and 905-465-5382