Rolfe at 25: Funding Research

Over the past 25 years, Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation has been dedicated to funding early detection research to combat the grim statistics surrounding Pancreatic Cancer. Despite advancements in medical technology and treatment options for many types of cancer, Pancreatic Cancer has remained particularly challenging to detect and treat effectively. According to the American Cancer Society, it is one of the few cancers for which survival rates have not significantly improved over the last four decades.

Recognizing the urgent need to improve survival rates and save lives, Rolfe has made early detection research one of its Four Pillars. Each year, Rolfe funds research aimed at improving outcomes in early detection and treatment options.

“Since the late ‘90s, the number of new Pancreatic Cancer cases has gone up approximately 1% each year. That’s because there’s no early detection test,” said Stacia Hart, Rolfe’s Executive Director. “Mammograms, colonoscopies, and PSA tests prove that early detection saves lives. It’s time for an early detection test for Pancreatic Cancer.”

Since its inception, Rolfe has raised over $12.6 million specifically for early detection research and patient and family support services. These funds have enabled top researchers at premier medical institutions, including Johns Hopkins, The University of Chicago, and the Lustgarten Foundation, to pursue over 100 groundbreaking projects focused on understanding and combating Pancreatic Cancer.

The research supported by Rolfe Foundation covers a wide range of critical areas, including:

• The role of fibroblasts in cancer cell invasion 
• Accelerating early detection methods 
• Characterizing the microanatomical heterogeneity of cancer metastases 
• Understanding the effects of inflammation on cancer progression 
• Stimulating immune responses against cancer cells 
• Developing better screening protocols for high-risk patients

“We’ve seen significant strides in understanding Pancreatic Cancer and identifying potential avenues for early detection and treatment,” says Stacia. “While there’s still much work to be done, the research funded by Rolfe Foundation has led to many promising breakthroughs.”

“We remain committed to funding innovative research efforts until such a test is developed or, ideally, a cure is found,” Stacia added.

To learn more about Rolfe’s granting process and ongoing research initiatives, visit the Foundation’s website.