Learn About and Support the 15-40 Connection

A challenge issued by Jim Coghlin, Sr, Founder - 15-40 Connection:

I have worked for several years to raise awareness and funds to close the gap in adolescent and young adult (ages 15-40) cancer survival rates. This population has seen scant improvement in survival rates in 35 years! In 2008, to address this appalling statistic, I started the 15-40 Connection Foundation whose mission is:

• To raise awareness that cancer is the #1 disease –related cause of death in 15-40 year olds and to promote early detection through advocacy and action.

A key component in building this awareness is the use of social media—Facebook, Twitter, etc. I am very excited to tell you that an anonymous supporter has committed to donating a dollar to the 15-40 Connection for every Facebook fan gained by April 12 up to $10,000! So we have a 10K challenge – 10,000 fans for $10,000!

"Living with cancer often begins as an individual journey, but it doesn’t necessarily have to end that way." - Mr. Jim Comer

Many of you I know who are on Facebook having seen this appeal have become fans (Thank you!). I would ask that, if you have not already done so, please reach out to your friends and ask them to become fans of the 15-40. For those of you who may not have known about the 15-40 Connection, please check us out on Facebook or on our website and become a fan of the 15-40 and spread the word to your friends and family. Even if you are not on Facebook yourself, you can help spread the word by asking others who are on Facebook to become fans.

When we started this 10K challenge a few weeks ago we started with 149 fans; today we are at just over 3,300 and adding fans each day, and I’d love to have you join us. In case you are not familiar with how to “fan” us, I’ve included instructions below.

But don’t just become a fan on Facebook, please check out the postings on our Facebook page or go to our website at www.15-40.org where you’ll find valuable health information (good for people of any age really), inspirational patient stories, instructions on how to do self-exams, and other helpful news and links.

Many thanks for your help. Remember, be well and check yourself!

Warm regards, Jim

Did you know that pancreatic cancer ranks just 11th in National Cancer Institute spending despite being the 4th leading cause of cancer death? Each year, more than 37,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; more than 33,000 die, making pancreatic cancer more deadly than prostate and close to breast cancer. The five year survival is less than 5 percent.

Know the signs... Pancreatic cancer is silent and sneaky. There are no early detection methods. Here are some of the risk factors and symptoms:

• Family history of pancreatic cancer
• Lack of appetite, sudden weight loss
• Sudden onset diabetes or a sudden change in blood sugar control in diabetes
• Change of color in urine or stool
• Indigestion, nausea, vomiting
• Abdominal/Back pain
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Jaundice
• Fatigue

To learn more about this specific type of cancer, and to learn how you can become more involved in helping to fight it, contact the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance.