Role of Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society in the funding ecosystem
Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society (CCPCS) is a Canadian national charity focused exclusively on pancreatic cancer. Founded in memory of Craig Condon, the organization works to increase survival and improve quality of life for every Canadian diagnosed with pancreatic cancer through four main pillars: public awareness, healthcare education, patient support and research. Within these pillars, CCPCS manages several funding streams that support both individual patients and the broader research community.
On the patient side, the Society operates the Patient Financial Support Grants™ program. These grants provide direct financial aid of $500 or $1,000 to eligible individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who are experiencing financial challenges during their illness. Clear criteria and application forms are offered in both English and French, allowing patients or caregivers to apply for targeted financial relief that can help with practical, medical, or supportive-care costs.
In parallel, CCPCS plays a significant role as a research funder. Its research strategy explicitly promotes pancreatic cancer–specific projects that are collaborative, cross-provincial and interdisciplinary, with an emphasis on improving patient survival and quality of life. The Society co-funds studies with partners such as the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, the Canadian Cancer Society, the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation and the QEII Foundation. The research page highlights numerous funded projects in areas like immunotherapy, oncolytic viruses, biomarkers, surgical outcomes and health services research, each clearly marked as supported or co-supported by CCPCS.
Supported audiences and overall impact
Beyond direct grants and research funding, CCPCS offers a suite of non-financial support programs that complement its funding role: a virtual Pancreatic Cancer Guide™ service staffed by nurses, peer support groups (Peers with Pancreatic Cancer™), an Ask a Doctor™ program drawing on a multidisciplinary medical advisory committee, and tools such as a Clinical Trial Finder™ tailored to Canadian patients. These programs extend the impact of its financial investments by helping patients access evidence-based care, clinical trials and expert advice.
Since its inception, fundraising and partnerships have generated more than $2 million in research funding alone, and the charity emphasizes that 100% of charitable donations are directed to awareness, education, patient support and research programs. Through this combination of patient grants, competitive research funding and support services, Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society occupies a distinctive niche in the Canadian cancer funding ecosystem focused on one of the most challenging malignancies.