The following is a release sent out by PanCAN:
 
CONGRESSWOMAN LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD (CA-34th) RECEIVES AWARD FROM NATIONAL COALITION FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) Sponsored the Congresswoman for
Her Championship of Cancer Research as a National Priority

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.  U.S.A. (May 26, 2005)-The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) congratulates U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34th), the recipient today of the Congressional Champions Award from the National Coalition for Cancer Research (NCCR).  PanCAN recommended the Congresswoman for this reward in recognition of her outstanding achievements on behalf of the medical research community. PanCAN is the first national patient advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community.

"Congresswoman Roybal-Allard is a shining example of how one person can make a difference in the war against cancer," said Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of PanCAN. "We're delighted that her accomplishments on behalf of her constituents have been recognized publicly. Only through continuous, well-funded research can we hope to discover early detection methods and effective treatments for cancer." 

Pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., receives the least federal funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Among her other accomplishments, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard sponsored report language in the Fiscal Year 2005 House Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations Report urging the NCI to continue the extended payline initiative for grants that are 100% relevant to pancreatic cancer.

            The NCCR honors congressional champions of cancer research each year. In 1999, the NCCR began its Congressional Champion Awards to recognize members of Congress who bring a strong voice and leadership to the battle against cancer. According to the NCCR, their insight, support, and effort to raise awareness of the importance of cancer research as a national priority improves the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survival of individuals with cancer.

About NCCR

The mission of the National Coalition for Cancer Research is to support the purposes of the 1971 National Cancer Act: landmark legislation that established a national network of facilities and researchers to address the growing epidemic of cancer. The Coalition endeavors to raise both Congressional and public awareness regarding the importance of cancer research and its very important role in improving cancer screening, treatment, prevention, and quality of life. The Coalition is dedicated to strengthening the National Cancer Program through public education and communication about the value of cancer research, treatment and prevention.

About PanCAN

PanCAN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999 by surviving family members of individuals who died of pancreatic cancer. The organization works to focus national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, and provides public and professional education embracing the urgent need for more research, effective treatments, prevention programs and early detection methods.  Visit http://www.pancan.org to obtain more information, e-mail info@pancan.org, or call 1-877-272-6226.