Pancreatic Cancer North America (PCNA) is a non-profit charitable organization created to confront one of the world’s toughest cancers by mobilizing resources and expertise across borders. Closely linked to Pancreatic Cancer Canada, PCNA focuses on transforming pancreatic cancer from a near-certain death sentence into a disease that can be detected earlier, treated more effectively and survived by many more people.
Role of PCNA in the funding ecosystem
PCNA explicitly positions itself as a research funder. On its research page, the organization states that it “funds innovative research to advance early detection and develop more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer.” Its portfolio includes major collaborative projects such as harnessing artificial intelligence for early detection, the NeoPancONE study and PASS-01. These initiatives illustrate PCNA’s strategy of backing multi-institutional, translational research that can move promising ideas from the lab to the clinic.
Alongside research grants and project investments, PCNA supports patient-facing services. The charity underwrites free programs like Ask An Expert, peer support, short-term counselling, support circles and tailored services for younger patients, often delivered in partnership with specialist organizations such as Wellspring. This dual focus on discovery and direct support allows PCNA to influence both long-term survival and immediate quality of life.
Supported audiences and impact
PCNA serves patients, caregivers and families across North America, as well as clinicians and researchers working in pancreatic cancer. Its “Patients & Caregivers” and “Our Support Programs” sections describe how individuals can access emotional, informational and psychosocial services at no cost, regardless of where they live. Educational resources, webinars and tools for talking to care teams complement these supports.
The organization publishes impact and financial reports, highlighting how donor funds are allocated between research, support programs and advocacy. By concentrating resources on an underfunded cancer with historically low survival rates, PCNA seeks to accelerate progress and ensure pancreatic cancer receives the urgency and investment it has long lacked.
Mission, governance and partnerships
PCNA’s mission is to fundamentally change the way patients, caregivers and communities experience pancreatic cancer and to redefine it as a survivable cancer. Its leadership and board bring experience from health charities, finance, law and consulting, guiding strategy, accountability and philanthropic growth. PCNA also cultivates corporate partnerships, community fundraisers and legacy giving to sustain and expand its funding capacity.
Through this combination of research investments, funded support programs and strategic collaborations, Pancreatic Cancer North America plays a significant role in the philanthropic and clinical ecosystem dedicated to changing the future of pancreatic cancer.