2020 Giving Tuesday supporting Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN)
2020 Giving Tuesday
2020 Giving Tuesday supporting Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN)
Research Matters
JUST THE FACTS:
In 2016, the National Cancer Institute spent $1,669 on medical research into Esophageal Cancer for each death due to this devastating disease. Compare that to the $12,802 spent that year on breast cancer research for every death caused by that terrible cancer.
Esophageal Cancer research funding amounted to just one-half of a percent of the total federal cancer research budget in 2016. But Esophageal Cancer is responsible for 2.6% of all of the cancer deaths in this country.
Breast cancer funding accounted for 9.9% of the Federal cancer research budget then. Breast cancer causes 6.8% of all U.S. cancer deaths, even though many more are diagnosed with the disease.
A breast cancer diagnosis used to be viewed as a death sentence – today its survival rate is 89.7%. Today's survival rate for Esophageal Cancer is under 19%. Increased research funding can change that. Let's make it happen!
About 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.
This year, ECAN and thousands of our supporters were able to convince both chambers of the US Congress to include Esophageal Cancer in a multi-million dollar cancer research fund for 2021!!
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.
About Esophageal Cancer
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.
YOUR ACTION NOW CAN SAVE THE LIVES OF THOSE AT RISK FOR ESOPHAGEAL CANCER!
Here is what you accomplish when you join us this Giving Tuesday:
- You fight for millions in research funding to end Esophageal Cancer
- You educate the public that Heartburn can cause Esophageal Cancer
- You spearhead efforts to stem the increasing Esophageal Cancer diagnoses among young people
- You support patients and families through their Esophageal Cancer journey
- You provide patients and caregivers important updates from the nation's top experts
OUR GOAL IS TO END ESOPHAGEAL CANCER. YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Double Your Impact: When you or your friends and family donate to our Giving Tuesday campaign this November, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar - up to $15,000.
Sign up here to create your own Giving Tuesday fundraising page. Personalize it with your photos and your story of why ending Esophageal Cancer matters to you. Then use the convenient tools provided here to reach out to others you know to support your efforts. To make a bigger impact, you can even connect your Giving Tuesday campaign to your Facebook page!
ECAN family members like you have already achieved great goals - like
- gaining access to a multi-million-dollar fund for Esophageal Cancer researchers in 2020,
- convincing the National Cancer Institute to include Esophageal Cancer in its groundbreaking genome mapping project that has led to new immunotherapies for Esophageal Cancer patients,
- starting Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month and sharing its life-saving message around the world
- ... and so much more!
But we still have far to go to end Esophageal Cancer!