January is Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Awareness Month. In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Martin D Hynes, III, a chemist who spent much of his career in the pharmaceutical industry, including years with Eli Lilly developing Gemzar, a chemotherapy drug used to treat pancreatic cancer.

In 2021, Marty was diagnosed with stage I pancreatic cancer and found himself on the patient side of clinical trials for the first time. Despite his extensive professional experience, Marty faced significant barriers to enrolling in a clinical trial. He discusses common misconceptions that prevent patients from participating in trials, including fears about receiving placebos and concerns about being a "guinea pig."

Marty explains that pancreatic cancer clinical trial participants always receive standard-of-care treatment, and he reframes clinical trial participation as a way to be a pioneer in breakthrough treatments.

This is part one of a two-part conversation about the challenges patients face when seeking to join clinical trials.

Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.

To learn more about pancreatic cancer clinical trials, visit Let’s Win and PanCAN.

Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Finder

PanCAN Clinical Trial Finder

In Episode 12 of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Diana Jupp, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer UK, about global advocacy, differences between UK and US approaches, and the power of collaboration through the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition.

Learn how awareness campaigns, patient voices, and international partnerships are helping drive progress in pancreatic cancer research, diagnosis, and care.

Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.

For more information and support, visit letswinpc.org and pancan.org.

Resources:

letswinpc.org
pancan.org

In this episode of PancChat, host Alisyn Camerota speaks with Kerry McKean Kelly, founder of Kelly's Heroes, about the power of collaboration in pancreatic cancer advocacy.

Kerry shares her personal journey after losing her husband Steve to stage IV pancreatic cancer and how she channeled her grief into global advocacy work. As outgoing chair of the World Pancreatic Cancer (WPCC) Day Committee, Kerry discusses the importance of clinical trial awareness, how the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition unites 100+ organizations worldwide, why patient empowerment matters across all healthcare systems, and the progress being made in pancreatic cancer survival rates.

"We are stronger together than we are alone." - Kerry McKean Kelly

Resources mentioned:

- Kelly's Heroes: http://www.kellysheroes.ngo/

- World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition: www.hellopancreas.com

- PanCAN: www.pancan.org

- Let's Win: www.letswinpc.org

Thank you to our sponsor, Revolution Medicines.

For more information and support, visit letswinpc.org and pancan.org.