Progress on cancer issue

President Barack Obama made history in the fight against pancreatic cancer by signing into law the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act, formerly known as the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act. Thanks to the hard work and persistence by pancreatic cancer advocates and our congressional champions, this legislation will finally bring hope to those affected by the disease.

This legislation means we are one step closer to creating a national strategy for combating pancreatic cancer, developing early detection tools and effective treatments, and improving the lives of those affected by this devastating disease. Pancreatic cancer is anticipated to move from the fourth leading cause of cancer death to the second leading cause of cancer death by 2020, possibly as early as 2015. President Obama and Congress’ support of this bill means we can create a national plan to begin to reverse this trend.

I applaud President Obama for signing this critical legislation into law. Additionally, Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers played a critical role in helping the landmark legislation to reach the finish line.

On behalf of all those affected by pancreatic cancer, President Obama and our local senators and representatives have my sincere gratitude.

Kathy Hlebichuk

Post Falls