Delco Officials Declare Nov. 17 Pancreatic Cancer Day

Thursday, Nov. 17 has official been declared Pancreatic Cancer Day in Delaware County.

Delaware County Council Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr. declared Nov. 17 as Pancreatic Cancer Day to help raise awareness about this little-understood cancer.

"Everyone’s life has been touched by cancer of some type and we all hope for the day when there will be a cure for this dreadful disease," Civera said.

Civera said the county is focusing on pancreatic cancer because it has not received as much attention as other forms of cancer.

"Pancreatic cancer is now the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, now surpassing breast cancer," he said.

On Nov. 2, Civera presented a resolution for World Pancreatic Cancer Day to Roberta McGettigan of Upper Darby, a pancreatic cancer survivor and volunteer with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, an estimated 41,780 Americans will die of pancreatic cancer in 2016. When people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, 71 percent will die within one year of their diagnosis and 92 percent will die within five years.

"That is a sad statistic for people faced with pancreatic cancer and their loved ones," Civera said.

McGettigan said pancreatic cancer needs to be recognized as much as other forms of cancer.

"We need to have people know more about this deadly cancer and to raise awareness about the need for funding, research, early diagnostic tools, and better treatment," she said.

According to the Action Network, pancreatic cancer is underfunded and has been put in a "too-hard-to-deal-with" category for too long.

Pictured in front from left are Delaware County Council Chairman Mario J. Civera Jr., Roberta McGettigan, and Council Vice Chair Colleen Morrone. In back, from left, are Council members Mike Culp, John McBlain and Dave White.

Image courtesy Delaware County Council