Health and Community Services
November 13, 2014

Increasing Cancer Awareness for Residents and Families

Minister Recognizes First World Pancreatic Cancer Day and Importance of Awareness

The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, has joined with organizations and individuals around the globe to recognize November 13, 2014, as the first World Pancreatic Cancer Day. Purple lighting will illuminate Confederation Building today to coincide with this event.

“As survival rates for other cancers have improved, pancreatic cancer has remained unchanged, and it is expected that there will be 4,700 Canadians diagnosed with the disease in 2014. There is a need to raise awareness of this disease and World Pancreatic Cancer Day is one opportunity for us to learn more about the signs and symptoms and help spread the word.”
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

The goal of World Pancreatic Cancer Day is to help raise awareness of pancreatic cancer on an international scale. In Canada, Pancreatic Cancer Canada and Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society are two of the main organizations leading the charge through education and awareness campaigns. For more information visit www.pancreaticcancercanada.ca and www.craigscause.ca .

“The Provincial Government remains focused on improving cancer treatment and care in this province. Guided by the Provincial Cancer Control Strategy, we are committed to working towards the reduction of the incidence and impact of cancer and improving the quality of life for those living with cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- Minister Kent

During the past decade, the Provincial Government has invested over $172 million for cancer treatment and prevention. The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program provides beneficiaries with access to over 90 cancer medications including 16 new cancer therapies that have been added over the past year.

QUICK FACTS

  • November 13, 2014, is being recognized as World Pancreatic Cancer Day in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • To recognize this day, purple lighting will illuminate Confederation Building.
  • The goal of World Pancreatic Cancer Day is to help raise awareness of pancreatic cancer on an international scale.
  • In Canada, Pancreatic Cancer Canada and Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society are two of the leading organizations which have been promoting awareness of this disease. For more information visit www.pancreaticcancercanada.ca and www.craigscause.ca .
  • During the past decade, the Provincial Government has invested over $172 million for cancer treatment and prevention. The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program provides beneficiaries with access to over 90 cancer medications including 16 new cancer therapies that have been added over the past year.

- 30 -

Media contact:

Hugh Donnan
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 725-6511
hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca

2014 11 13                                        10:05 a.m.