COMMITTED TO EQUITY AND ACCESS IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
The Charles McKinley Reynolds, Jr., Pancreatic Cancer Initiative supports and facilitates research, education, treatment, and patient advocacy for pancreatic cancer, a disease that accounts for 3% of all cancers and 7% of all cancer deaths in the United States. Our work focuses on pain management for pancreatic cancer patients, and on African American patients, whose conditions are often dismissed or devalued by medical professionals because of long-held biases and misunderstanding. The research and clinical trials we support acknowledge this phenomenon and other cultural dynamics that affect the diagnosis and treatment of African American pancreatic cancer patients and support for their caregivers.
LATEST ADVANCES IN THE QUEST FOR A CURE, MORE EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS, PREVENTION
.png)
.png)
Meet the little pill that is prolonging life for pancreatic cancer patients
Now FDA-approved, Daraxonrasib is the single most promising treatment for pancreatic cancer ever developed.
Daraxonrasib: One woman's amazing experience with the new life-sustaining drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to selpercatinib
Selpercatinib can now be used across a broad range of RET fusion–positive malignancies, including lung, thyroid, pancreatic, ovarian, and rare pediatric cancers.
%20(1).png)
FDA Approves New Wearable Device for Patients with Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Featured Resources
A Washington Informer writer reveals the touching backstory that led to the creation of this Initiative and its role in the continuing quest for a cure. Click here to read.
Click on a banner below for information about patient support
.png)
.png)
.png)
Pancreatic cancer patients remained cancer-free for more than three years after receiving an experimental mRNA vaccine in a small clinical trial. Researchers say the vaccine could prevent pancreatic cancer from ever returning. Click here to read more.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Watch
Reesa Motley Reynolds leads an informative discussion of pain management with two prominent physicians.
For more information, click on a logo below.
KEY FACTS
Pancreatic Cancer is the third
leading cause of cancer deaths
in the U.S.
-
In 2026 an estimated 67,530 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the U.S., and more than 52,740 will die from the disease.
-
Symptoms for pancreatic cancer may include weight loss, abdominal discomfort, back pain, development of type 2 diabetes and some tumors may cause
-
The incidence of pancreatic cancer among African Americans is 30 to 70 percent higher than other racial groups.
-
African Americans are less likely to have early diagnosis, surgery, and timely treatment for pancreatic cancer than are other Americans.
-
The mortality rate for African Americans with pancreatic cancer is 13.3 per 100,000 people compared to 11.0 per 100,000 for White Americans.
-
Higher incidences of cigarette smoking, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and pancreatitis contribute to the disparate casualty rates between African Americans and other groups.
*Source: American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts & Figures 2026