Giving Tuesday 2023 supporting Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN)

ECAN’s MISSION is to SAVE LIVES by increasing awareness about the link between Reflux Disease and Cancer, promoting early detection, supporting medical innovation to prevent, detect, treat and cure Esophageal Cancer and linking patients and families to compassionate support.
For the past four years, nearly $20 million in new Esophageal Cancer research funding has been awarded thanks to ECAN and thousands of our supporters. Our advocacy has convinced Congress to include Esophageal Cancer in a multi-million dollar cancer research fund and we expect to receive even more funding in 2025!
ECAN’s Board of Directors is comprised of top medical professionals, business leaders, and families that have been touched by Esophageal Cancer. A national non-profit organization, based in Baltimore, Maryland, ECAN provides patients and families with up-to-date information about medical research and guidelines, support during their journey, tools to raise awareness and a chance to advocate for improvements that will increase survival and quality of life for patients - and prevent the rapid increase of this disease in the future.
Deadly: One 1 out of 5 patients diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer in the US will survive 5 years | Esophageal Cancer is the #7 Cancer Killer of Men in the United States | Most is discovered at late stages, when treatment is rarely successful.
Most Often Caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Most EC in the US is Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (74%) caused by Reflux Disease | Esophageal Adenocarcinoma increased 700% over the past 35 years in the U.S. | Esophageal Adenocarcinoma is the fastest increasing cancer among American men | Squamous Cell Carcinoma which is usually linked to smoking or drinking causes 26%.
Preventable: Barrett’s Esophagus is the only known precursor to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma | Barrett’s Esophagus is caused by GERD, but the condition itself causes no symptoms | Barrett’s Esophagus can be treated and eliminated, thereby preventing progression to Esophageal Cancer | More than a Million Americans Estimated to be Unaware they Have Barrett’s Esophagus.
Largely Ignored: Lack of Awareness - Only 14% of Americans know that GERD can lead to cancer | Lack of Screening - No Esophageal Cancer screening protocol in the U.S. | Lack of Research Funding - Esophageal Cancer causes 2.6% of US cancer deaths, but receives just .5% of the Federal Cancer Research Budget.
ECAN family members like you have already achieved great goals - like
But we still have far to go to end Esophageal Cancer!
Here is what you accomplish when you join us this Giving Tuesday: