Member Profile: Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society

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Our Story

In June 2006, Craig Schurman Condon started to feel unwell, experiencing acid reflux, white stool, dark urine, and yellowish skin. Concerned, he visited his physician, who suspected Hepatitis A. When this came back negative, his physician was stumped. This is where Craig’s pancreatic cancer journey began. 

In July 2006, Craig was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. By September, he had passed away, at the age of 63, eight weeks from diagnosis.

Craig with his daughter Stefanie on her wedding day.

In 2007, ‘Craig’s Cause’ was established as a non profit organization, in his memory. The goal was to create awareness and to fund research. In 2012, ‘Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society’ was rebranded and received its national charitable business number. 

Since its inception, this grassroots organization has grown into a national charity recognized for our national awareness campaigns, extensive Patient Support programs, Healthcare Education and funding a diverse Research Folder. 

Our Mission

We focus on Four Pillars:

Public Awareness: We increase public understanding of the early signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, the diagnostic pathways, the treatment options, and support programs for patients and caregivers. .

Healthcare Education: We help educate and promote knowledge sharing and collaborations amongst health care professionals. 

Patient Support: We provide pancreatic cancer patients and their caregivers with unique direct support through programs which assist in accessing professional advice, as well as financial, practical, and emotional support services. 

Research: Through partner collaboration, we provide funding to Canadian researchers, creating a diversified research portfolio

DigestThis! – A PERT Calculator

Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society and the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation are thrilled to be launching (what we believe is) the world’s first PERT Calculator in the spring. We believe this resource will address the unmet needs of Pancreatic Enzyme Insufficiency (PEI) education and the importance of Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT). 

Why is this such an important project? In 2022 approximately 6,900 Canadians were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (PC). Of this group 5,700 Canadians will die from PC: 3,800 men and 3,100 women.

Of these 6,900 pancreatic cancer patients in Canada:

  • Approximately 5,589 patients will have Pancreatic Enzyme Insufficiency.

  • Approximately, only 1,118 of these patients will receive Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy.

  • Of the 1,118 patients receiving Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy. Only 536 patients will have knowledge and use proper dosing.

A recent survey distributed by Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society and the

Canadian Digest Health Foundation saw that:

  • Over 70% of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer said that their HCP did not discuss nutrition or pancreatic enzyme insufficiency with them.

  • Over 66% said they were not referred to a nutritionist.

  • Over 64.11% said that they did not receive information on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.

  • Over 46.16% said they are not receiving pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.

  • Over 81.62% said they do not believe they are receiving the proper dosage.

It is our hope that the PERT Calculator, which has been Health Canada approved, will not only education patients, caregivers, and the Healthcare Community on PEI and PERT, but that it will address this unmet need for patients, improving their quality of life and extending their survival rates. 

Our WPCC Story

Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society has been honoured to be part of the Coalition since inception in Belgium with Celgene Pharmaceuticals. 

We believe that the collaborations within the WPCC has been invaluable to us. Over the years, Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society has been fortunate to receive development support, from many organizations within the Coalition. These organizations have shared their time to meet with us and they have shared their resources generously, so that we could develop our programs and ensure the success of these programs. 

As always, we are excited about the 2023 campaign to further our Awareness reach. Additionally, we are also looking forward to participating in the 2023 webinars and the continued collaborations which support consistent messaging around the globe. 

To learn more about Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society, visit their website.