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"More than half of people with pancreatic cancer die within the first six months of diagnosis and just 11.5% will survive five years," says a press release from the World Health Organization.
"Sustained research investment has significantly improved survival outcomes for other cancers, including skin, breast, prostate, and many blood cancers, but the progress in pancreatic cancer has been slow."
That's about to change thanks to an $8 million, 10-year philanthropic investment from Australian business leader Jane Hemstritch.
She's establishing the Hemstritch Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer Research at the World Health Institute in Brisbane to help close that survival gap.
"This investment is cause for hope for people with this most devastating of diseases, and I commend Jane for her vision, passion, and generosity," says WEHI director Ken Smith.
Hemstritch's husband, Philip, died of pancreatic cancer after being diagnosed two and a half years ago, and the couple's experience inspired Hemstritch to become a strong advocate for personalized medicine, reports news.com.au.
The Hemstritch Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer Research will provide a leading team of scientists and clinicians with long-term funding to ask big research questions.
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