Backup Documents 12/10-11/2013 Item #16H 1PROCLAMATION 16HI
WHEREAS, in 2013 an estimated 45,220 people in the United States will be diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer and 38,460 people will die from the disease, 2,770 in Florida alone;
and,
WHEREAS, pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and the fourth leading cause of cancer
death in the United States, and,
WHEREAS, when symptoms of pancreatic cancer present themselves, it is usually too late for an
optimistic prognosis and seventy-four percent of patients die within the first year of
diagnoses and ninety-four percent die within the first five years; and,
WHEREAS, there is no cure for pancreatic cancer and there have been no significant. improvements in
the survival rates in the last forty years; and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress passed the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act in 2012, which calls on
the National Cancer Institute to develop a scientific framework or strategic plan for
pancreatic cancer and other deadly cancers which will help provide the direction and
guidance needed to make true progress against these diseases, and,
WHEREAS, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) is the first and only national patient
advocacy organization serving the pancreatic cancer community by focusing its efforts on
public policy, research funding, patient services and public awareness and education
related to the development of effective treatments and ultimately a cure, and,
WHEREAS, the PANCAN and its affiliates in Collier County support those patients currently battling
pancreatic cancer, as well as those who have lost their lives to the disease and are
committed to nothing less than a cure, and,
WHEREAS, the good health and well-being of all Collier County residents are enhanced as a direct
result of increased awareness about pancreatic cancer and research into early detection,
causes and effective treatments.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida,
that November be designated as
PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 10'h DAY OF DECEMBER, 2013.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CHAIRWOMAN