Our Impact: 2023
The power of one
Our Impact: 2023
The power of one
We are facing a global pancreatic cancer crisis. The number of people diagnosed is increasing each year, but the survival rate has not improved beyond 10%. There are emerging trends that show that one of the highest rates of increased incidence is among women under the age of 55. Yet there are still no screening or early detection protocols in place to find the disease at earlier stages.
In the face of these overwhelming statistics, it’s easy to feel powerless. That’s why we are so grateful for the courageous people who understand that it only takes one person to make an impact against this disease. In 2023, we witnessed the remarkable effect of passionate individuals who joined us to change the status quo for pancreatic cancer patients and their families.
Some of those people are featured here in our 2023 Impact Report. People like Jenny Guittard, a 46-year-old oncology nurse diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer who chronicled her experience with raw honesty and Meg Case, who turned grief into empowerment by founding an axe throwing tournament to raise funds and awareness.
In 2023, we also expanded our reach to tackle the world’s toughest cancer with the establishment of Pancreatic Cancer North America (PCNA). PCNA is the evolution of 17 years of foundation-setting here in Canada and reaffirms our mission to disrupt the traditional approach to discovery by bringing together multiple sectors, innovations, and novel methods to drive real change.
We are grateful to our donors, researchers, volunteers, staff, Board of Directors, and the families we serve, who supported our efforts in 2023 and helped set the stage for transformational change in the years to come.
With thanks,
Jonathan Paul
Chair of the Board of Directors
Michelle Capobianco
Chief Executive Officer
Jenny Guittard’s powerful legacy of education and empowerment
“I’m definitely not going to be defined by my disease. I’m going to forge my own path and I want to continue to thrive and live life despite my diagnosis.”
When Jenny Guittard was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer in January 2023, she made the brave decision to chronicle her experience on social media. As an oncology nurse with 25 years of experience, Jenny thought she was prepared to face the journey ahead, but she quickly learned that a pancreatic cancer diagnosis brings a unique set of challenges.
Jenny shared her lived experience through her personal Instagram blog and she extended her reach by working with Pancreatic Cancer Canada to raise awareness and educate patients and caregivers. She told her story through our Unapologetic podcast and rallied her personal community to participate in Kathy’s Run in Edmonton, one of our signature fundraising events. Due to her experience as a nurse, she also had a particular interest in educating healthcare professionals about the unique aspects of pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“I hold a unique perspective as a nurse and now a patient. I have the ability to help support and educate other patients. I have purpose. I want to show that I continue to fight this ugly disease. I want to leave a legacy for my nieces and nephews.”
One of the lessons that Jenny learned and shared was the importance of a strong support network. She encouraged patients to advocate for themselves and seek an open dialogue with health providers about mental health aspects of managing a cancer diagnosis. She also participated in and promoted PCC’s patient and family support services.
Jenny passed on March 3, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Her lasting impact on her community and for pancreatic cancer patients is a true testament to the power of one remarkable individual.
In an episode of our podcast, UNAPOLOGETIC, Jenny joined our CEO, Michelle Capobianco, for an intimate discussion about the realities of living with pancreatic cancer.
“I hold a unique perspective as a nurse and now a patient. I have the ability to help support and educate other patients. I have purpose. I want to show that I continue to fight this ugly disease. I want to leave a legacy for my nieces and nephews.”
One of the lessons that Jenny learned and shared was the importance of a strong support network. She encouraged patients to advocate for themselves and seek an open dialogue with health providers about mental health aspects of managing a cancer diagnosis. She also participated in and promoted PCC’s patient and family support services.
Jenny passed on March 3, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Her lasting impact on her community and for pancreatic cancer patients is a true testament to the power of one remarkable individual.
In an episode of our podcast, UNAPOLOGETIC, Jenny joined our CEO, Michelle Capobianco, for an intimate discussion about the realities of living with pancreatic cancer.
Picking up an axe to raise funds and awareness
When Meg Case’s mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2014, Meg thought maybe it was good news that she hadn’t heard of the disease. But she quickly realized that the reason she hadn’t heard of it was because there were so few survivors around to raise awareness. When her mom died five short months later, Meg knew she had to do something.
“We couldn’t let her death just happen and not do anything about it,” explains Meg. “Given the survival rate associated with pancreatic cancer, it is often the families of patients who need to be the champions for raising funds and awareness.”
So, Meg and her family decided to host their own fundraiser – an axe throwing tournament in Toronto. “At the time, an axe throwing event was new, different, unexpected and it was the most symbolic of our feelings toward pancreatic cancer – whipping sharp objects at a wall as hard as we could.”
Eight years later, Axe Pancreatic Cancer has raised a remarkable $190,624 and is a true testament to the impact of peer-to-peer fundraising, which is powered by the connection of one person to their community.
TD Bank Group supports innovative research
Most pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed at stage IV, which is why survival rates for this disease are so low. We invest in impactful research that uses new methods and technologies to better understand the causes of this disease and detect it at earlier stages to improve survival rates.
The Prosper-PANC research project is a multi-centre, translational, and observational study focused on early detection in pancreatic cancer. This innovative project is made possible in part thanks to a $50,000 donation from TD Bank Group (TD) through its corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment.
“Through the Better Health driver of our corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, we’re focused on supporting innovative research, solutions, and technology that are working to help create more equitable health outcomes for all,” says Robyn Small, Senior Manager, Philanthropy, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group. “We’re proud to support Pancreatic Cancer Canada as they work towards increasing equitable access to cancer diagnosis and care.”
Sounding the alarm on occupational cancers for fire fighters
In our 2022 Impact Report, we introduced you to Catherine McBride and our work to advocate for the health and wellbeing of first responders in honour of her husband, Leslie.
In 2023, we continued to advocate for increased awareness of cancer risk and presumptive coverage for the fire fighting community. When three more provinces – Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan – added pancreatic to their list of presumptive cancers and the federal government passed Bill C-224 – An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to fire fighting, we received dozens of calls from fire fighters and their families asking us to do more.
In August, we were invited by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to participate in their Health and Safety Symposium to broaden the work we were already doing for Canadian fire fighters to those in the US. It was at this event that it became clear that the men and women who put their lives at risk to protect our communities are not receiving the support they deserve.
In 2024, we will continue to make it a strategic priority to advocate for increased awareness of cancer risk and supports for the over 1.3 million members of the fire fighting community across the US and Canada under the banner of the Fire Fighter Cancer Project.
The first mandate of the Fire Fighter Cancer Project is the creation of a mental health support program, including counseling and resources, specific to fire fighters and their families who are impacted by cancer. In collaboration with our partners Wellspring (Canada) and CancerCare (US), we will deliver high-quality, credible, and accessible support to first responders with all cancers.
Barbara’s mother, Joan
One family’s dedication to making an impact
For Barbara Lang, giving back has been a family value passed from generation to generation. Her father began this legacy by creating the Lang Family Foundation and encouraging each of his children to contribute to causes that were meaningful to them. Barbara carried his legacy forward with her own children – together they established the Four Oaks Foundation.
Barbara’s mother Joan died in 2012 only six weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. They also lost a family friend to the disease. These tragic losses prompted Barbara and her children to learn more about pancreatic cancer and seek out opportunities to help impact survival rates.
“This is a horrible disease and one that people aren’t aware of it until they are directly impacted,” explains Barbara. “We felt compelled to do something and wanted to bring attention to the disease and to the work that Pancreatic Cancer Canada is doing to change the outcomes.”
Rooted in their family value of giving, the Four Oaks Foundation along with the Lang Family Foundation have each made a three-year commitment to fund early detection research.
Barbara’s mother, Joan
Thank you to our donors
Our dedicated donors are the embodiment of the power of one. We are grateful to each and every donor who invests in our efforts to tackle the world’s toughest cancer. Following is a list of individual donors, corporate partners, and charitable groups that contributed $2,500 or more in 2023.
Corporations & Foundations
AstraZeneca Canada
ATCO-EPIC
BBDO Canada Corp.
Because We Can Inc.
Benaco Sales Ltd.
Bento Sushi
Calgary Shaw Charity Classic Foundation
Canada Online Giving
CanadaHelps.Org
Charities Aid Foundation Canada
DistributionNOW Canada
Enterprise Holdings Canada Foundation
EY Canada
Genumark Inc.
Google Canada
Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage
Hollyoak Family Foundation
Howl At The Moon
Innovative Medicines Canada
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
J and W Murphy Foundation
Klemencic Homes Trenton
Lisgar Construction Company
Longshore Resources Ltd.
Magna International
Mechanical Contractors Association Of Alberta
Modern Beauty Supplies Inc.
Oyen Greenhouse Inc.
Raymond James Canada Foundation
RBC Foundation
Real Deal Sports Bar & Billiards Inc.
Rene J. Carignan Memorial Fund
Ridley/Wicks Family Foundation
Scandinavian Building Services Ltd.
Smit-Vander Zaag Giving Fund
Stait Family Fund
Steve and Janice Mayne Charitable Gift Fund
StoneRidge Lending Inc.
TD Bank Group
TELUS Corporation
The Brettler/Mintz Foundation
The Four Oaks Foundation
The Jay Hughes Memorial Foundation
The Lang Family Foundation
The Randy Gillies Family Foundation
The Sal Furino Family Foundation
The Schulich Foundation
The ScotiaMcLeod Charitable Foundation
The Warren Y. Soper Charitable Trust
United Way East Ontario
United Way Central Alberta
United Way Toronto & York Region
Wasserman
Westdale Construction Co Ltd
Wildeboer Dellelce LLP
Individuals
Laura Belleau
Elizabeth Casson
Donna Cohen
James Cornish
Trevor Daly
Deana Drago
Deana Elder
Donald K. Johnson, O.C.,L.L.D
Susan K Foster
Robert Gillelan
Nadine Gorda
Carole Gruson
Russell Hay
Zabeen Hirji
Paul Holden
Irene Ingraham
Adam Klemencic
Lars Koop
Naomi London
Jeanette MacNaughtan
Payton Mannix
Dorit Mevorach
Shamsh Moosa
Colleen Osiowy
Linda Shick
David Sisak
Norling Stevens
Marc St-Onge
James Taggart
Annie Tam
Sabrina Tan
Alexander Thai
John Wallis
Patricia Anne Wallis
John Richard Weldon
Hilen Wong
John Wood
Dale Zorgdrager
Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers
80s Flashback Dance Party
Carole Gruson’s Second Annual Golf Tournament
Cultus Lake Triathlon Team Highlanders
For Lucy, With Love
Golf In Memory of Steven Milne
Google Toronto Charity Hoops
Leah’s Legacy 2023 Memorial Walk
Leslie Mannix Prosecco and Pickleball Fundraiser
Living Sisu Hockey League
PanCan Awareness on the Duc d’Orleans II
Play for a Cure Fundraiser
Poker Charity Event for Pancreatic Cancer Canada
Purple Pansies Fundraiser
René Carignan Memorial Golf
Run For Life
Shift for Sean
Terry’s Scandi Walk
The MCA Alberta – Terry O’Flaherty Memorial – Charity Golf Tournament
We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our donor acknowledgement list. If we have missed or incorrectly recognized you, please accept our apologies and contact us at info@pancreaticcancercanada.ca so that we can update the list accordingly.
316-4211 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M2P 2A9
Toll Free: 1-888-726-2269
info@pancreaticcancercanada.ca
Charitable Registration Number 84870 1967 RR0001