Pancreatic Cancer Association of WNY

05/25/2026

As part of Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club Rochester, join us in saluting the brave men and women who gave their all to support our freedoms.

🇺🇸CSC Rochester honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country this Memorial Day. Gone, but never forgotten.

05/05/2026

Double survival rate....earlier detection! This is what hope looks like.

05/02/2026

Exciting news and hopeful progress...

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has issued a “safe to proceed” letter to Revolution Medicines, allowing the company to initiate an expanded access treatment protocol (EAP) for daraxonrasib for patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). 💊

Expanded access is a potential pathway for patients with serious or life-threatening conditions to gain access to investigational medicines outside of a clinical trial when they are unable to participate in a clinical trial and all other appropriate treatment options have been exhausted.

In response to the FDA’s letter, Revolution Medicines said that this “represents a critical step in the process of opening an EAP” and that they are “moving as quickly as possible to ensure safe and equitable access to daraxonrasib for eligible patients in the United States,” according to a statement from the company.

Read Revolution Medicines’ Expanded Access Policy, including how to submit a request through a licensed treating physician and how daraxonrasib is extending survival for patients at 🔗 http://pcan.at/rjul9sza.

05/01/2026

Again, thank you for your support over the past 17 years. We invite you to join us on this next stage of our development and continue supporting our mission as we transition to be part of Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club Rochester as a community outreach group. Today, May 1st, the future begins....and it is bright and hopeful.

04/29/2026

Dear Friends,

Today, we share important news about the future of our mission. By now many of you, whether through an email you received from us or through word of mouth, have heard that the Pancreatic Cancer Association of WNY is at an exciting crossroad in our evolution!

First, let me THANK YOU for standing with the Pancreatic Cancer Association for the past 17 years. Because of you, we’ve supported countless families and advanced local research—making a real difference in our community.

* Raised nearly $1 million for research at Wilmot Cancer Center since 2010, with much of this funding serving as critical seed support toward achieving NCI designation.
* Provided the financial resources to set up patient care funds for pancreatic cancer patients at URMC/Wilmot Cancer Center, Lipson Cancer Center (RRH), and Roswell Cancer Center.
* Awarded $22,500 in educational scholarships to nine college-bound students through the Michael F. Contestabile Scholarship Fund, helping ease the financial burden of higher education for families impacted by pancreatic cancer.

As we looked to the future, we asked how we could do even more. How could we expand support for those facing pancreatic cancer—not only through education and awareness, but also through connection, emotional support, and overall well-being?
We found that opportunity with Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club Rochester.

With their extensive programs—including support groups, social and wellness activities, and dedicated services for families, youth, and caregivers—we know the mission you helped build will continue and grow in meaningful ways.

Beginning May 1, PCAWNY will transition into a Community Outreach Group within Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club. While this is a change, our purpose remains the same—and the impact will be even stronger.

We invite you to continue this journey with us. Whether seeking support or giving as you have so generously before, your connection matters. We encourage you to stay connected and engaged and join the Outreach Group. Contact Mary Ellen Smith at [email protected] to learn more about this opportunity to continue the Pancreatic Cancer Association's mission and impact in the community.

To see why we believe this is the right next step, please watch this short video. You can also learn more at www.cscrochester.org or call 585-423-9700.

https://youtu.be/oBvXQDLd9-0

Thank you for being at the heart of all we’ve accomplished—and all that’s still to come. This decision comes with deep gratitude and a shared commitment to ensure that anyone facing pancreatic cancer has the support they need to live fully and with quality of life.

With sincere appreciation for an amazing 17 years,
The Pancreatic Cancer Association of WNY/

BUT let's not end it here - join us over at Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club Rochester

PCAWNY - A Meaningful Next Chapter for Our Mission

04/18/2026

Clinical trials and research equal hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer and giving people more time to create memories with their family.

Scientists caution that more research is needed, but nearly all of the patients who responded to the personalized vaccine are still alive six years later.

04/16/2026

Game changer in the fight against pancreatic cancer ...

We heard your questions and we've got the answers! 💜 More on Revolution Medicines Phase 3 RASolute 302 trial evaluating their RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibitor...

Daraxonrasib, a first-of-its-kind RAS-targeting therapy, showed a near doubling of survival for patients with previously treated metastatic disease. This treatment is also gaining national attention with former Senator Ben Sasse sharing his experience while participating in a clinical trial.

Why this matters:
🧬 Over 90% of pancreatic cancers are driven by KRAS mutations
💊 KRAS was long considered “undruggable”
🎯 This study shows it can be successfully targeted in patients

This breakthrough builds on years of research, including work supported by the Lustgarten Foundation and our partners, to take on KRAS and accelerate new treatments.

Progress is happening and this is just the start!

Read more 🔗 https://hubs.ly/Q04clHPD0

04/14/2026

Wondering what's next after treatment?

What comes next after treatment ends? 💛

Cancer Transitions is a 4-week workshop designed to help you navigate life beyond treatment—because it’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions during this time.

Together, we’ll focus on:
✨ Getting back to wellness
💛 Emotional health
🥗 Eating well & staying active
🩺 Medical management beyond cancer

You don’t have to figure it out alone—we’re here to support you every step of the way.

👉 Register: cscrochester.org/events

04/13/2026

What does hope look like? This. It looks like this.

The company reports the drug showed “clinically meaningful improvements” in overall survival