Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all the major cancers, and is the only cancer tracked by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that still has a five-year survival rate in the single digits. There are no early diagnostic tools and there is no cure.

Despite these facts, the federal government has no long-term comprehensive research strategy to combat pancreatic cancer.

This is unacceptable. As someone who was diagnosed with unresectable pancreatic cancer in 2006, I’m one of the rare five-year survivors. Since there are so few of us, I advocate on behalf of the many who have lost the battle, and their families.

The best way to fight this disease and change the status quo is to pass the Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act (S. 362/H.R. 733). The bill would require the NCI to develop a long-term comprehensive strategic plan to combat the disease.

Please join me by calling your members of Congress on June 14 to ask them to co-sponsor the Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Act. Go to www.knowitfightitendit.org to learn more. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

Maija Eerkes, Bellevue