Page 18 - Holly Carney Issue (3)

Walking For A Cause

On June 7, 2008, in San Elijo Hills, the
Mario R. Alvarez Sr. Cancer Founda-
tion sponsored a walk to raise money to
benefit pancreatic cancer research. The
turn-out was tremendous and the mood
inspiring. There were many donors who
could not attend, but still donated to the
cause. Four hundred and twenty six
were in attendance and over $66,250
was raised, with all proceeds going to
Scripps Genomic Medicine.
There were people of all ages, shapes,
and sizes walking to help the cause.
Pancreatic cancer, although not one of
the more well known causes, is one of

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the most serious forms of cancer. Each
year about 30,000 people in the United
States are diagnosed with pancreatic can-
cer; more than 60,000 in Europe. Most of
those diagnosed will have passed away
by the end of the first year. The incidence
of pancreatic cancer increases with age;
most people are between the ages of 60
to 80 when they receive the diagnosis. It
is more commonly found in men although
in recent years the gap between men and
women appears to be shrinking; possibly
due to increased cigarette smoking among women. In the U.S., pancreatic cancer is the 9th or 10th most commonly diag-
nosed cancer (depending on gender), but the third leading cause of cancer death in men and the fourth in women. The me-
dian survival period from the time of diagnosis until demise is arguably the worst of any of the cancers generally if untreated
only about 3 ½ months; with treatment this increases to about six months. With all of these factors, the Mario R. Alvarez Sr.
Cancer Foundation was formed to help in the fight against pancreatic cancer. For more information on the foundation and a
listing of upcoming events visit their website at http://www.malvarezcancerfoundation.org/

July/August 2008