The National PANCREATIC CANCER Canada Foundation
formerly The Dick Aldridge Pancreatic Cancer Foundation
Our Story:
In order to receive sustainable funding, we needed to establish charity status and become a foundation in 2006. The Dick Aldridge Pancreatic Cancer Foundation is incorporated in the Province of Ontario and federally registered with the Charities Directorate. Our registration number is 84870 1967 RR0001. Under this designation, we are able to receipt all donations for income tax purposes for both individuals and corporations.
Both our co-chairs have lost loved ones to pancreatic cancer: Betty lost her husband Dick in 2004 and Laurie lost her mother Mearle in 1996. “We must be their voice and continue their fight by raising awareness about this devastating disease and the critical need for research funding”. They are passionate in this fight and are committed to making a difference to the lives of pancreatic cancer patients and their families.
The foundation consists of volunteers who have donated their time and energy to ensure its success. Our intention as a foundation is to continue to raise funds to support early detection research studies through fundraising events, sponsorship and donations. We are also committed to making Canadians aware of this silent killer.
In June of 2006, with the assistance of MP Helena Guergis, November was recognized as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month by the House of Commons. We are continuing to lobby the government to increase the amount of annual funds dedicated to pancreatic cancer research.
In November of 2007, we presented Dr. Moore and Dr. Gallinger of Princess Margaret Hospital/Mount Sinai with a gift of $150,000 to support a study in early detection that will focus on developing screening methods and a gene for familial pancreas cancer. It is our hope that we can reduce the high rate of mortality by providing doctors with the tools to diagnose pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage when there is a greater chance to treat it.
In November of 2008, we presented Princess Margaret with an additional $75,000 to enable research doctors to continue this research study. Last summer, they had a breakthrough when a test patient was found to have early signs of pancreatic cancer. This discovery helped save a life.
We also launched in November, PANCREATIC CANCER CANADA, to reflect our growing presence across Canada. The Dick Aldridge Pancreatic Cancer Foundation (DAPCF) will continue to be the recipient of all donations, while Pancreatic Cancer Canada will be our fundraising organization. Our goal is to reach out to all Canadians and raise awareness for the need to fund early detection studies.
In January of 2009, we opened the Ottawa Chapter and moved our foundation home office to the nation's capital.
In the spring of 2010, Libby Znaimer joined us as our official spokeperson. In facing her own illness with such courage and determination, Libby Znaimer offers sound
advice, encouragement, and hope to those living with the disease. Libby wants to let people know that they're not alone. PANCREATIC CANCER Canada iis here to support patients and their
families and to help them understand their options." Libby Znaimer press release
In June of 2010, we were granted permission to change our foundation name to the National PANCREATIC CANCER Canada Foundation, to reflect our growing national presence. See Press Release
