Leaders in Pancreatic Cancer Research and Advocacy Gather at Fox Chase

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(From left) Avinoam Nevler, MD; Sanjay Reddy, MD, FACS; Major Kenneth Lee IV, MD, PhD; Nick Pifani, Sponsorship Chair, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Philadelphia Affiliate and Co-Chair, PanCAN's Survivor Council; and Bruce Platt, Affiliate Chair, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Philadelphia Affiliate

PHILADELPHIA (March 18, 2024) – The hour was early, but the enthusiasm was great. Researchers, clinicians, and advocates from across the Philadelphia region gathered at Fox Chase Cancer Center on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 6:30 a.m. for the 2024 PurpleStride Philadelphia Leadership Breakfast. Hosted by the Philadelphia Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) and sponsored by Fox Chase, the event brought together champions in pancreatic cancer research and treatment for discussion and networking.

The event helped to kick off fundraising and awareness ahead of PanCAN’s signature event, PurpleStride—set for Saturday, April 27, 2024—in cities and towns across the country. In Philadelphia, this annual walk to end pancreatic cancer will take place at Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park. The Marvin and Concetta Greenberg Pancreatic Cancer Institute of Fox Chase Cancer Center will have a team at the walk.

“This year’s leadership breakfast was one of the highest attended, and we were thrilled to welcome so many welcomed guests from the Philadelphia region—and beyond—to our campus,” said Sanjay Reddy, MD, FACS, Associate Professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology, the Marvin S. Greenberg Endowed Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery, and Co-Director of The Marvin and Concetta Greenberg Pancreatic Cancer Institute at Fox Chase.
 

PANCAN Breakfast Fox Chase

“It was a privilege to host this event, which highlights our team’s dedication to treating patients, as well as our commitment to engaging with and supporting our local community of providers,” Dr. Reddy added. “As leaders in pancreatic cancer care, we continue to drive advancements and we are grateful for the opportunity to share our expertise with our regional colleagues.”

The leadership breakfast featured remarks from Cindy Mattson, who shared her patient experience, as well as a panel discussion with the honorary co-chairs of PanCAN PurpleStride Philadelphia 2024. In addition to Dr. Reddy, honorary co-chairs this year include Avinoam Nevler, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, and Major Kenneth Lee IV, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery, Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

This event illustrates Fox Chase’s ongoing collaboration with PanCAN to bring critical awareness to research and advocacy for one of the most aggressive cancers. In November, Fox Chase hosted PanCAN’s PurpleLight Ceremony in its courtyard—in conjunction with Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Together Facing series on Pancreatic Cancer. This signature event fell on World Pancreatic Cancer Day, which made this a special day for all those involved. 

Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

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