Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society (CCPCS) is working to achieve a future where surviving pancreatic cancer is the expectation, not the exception. This national charity is dedicated to both increasing survival and improving the quality of life for every Canadian diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the third leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada.
Brian Duclos sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2020 after spending more than 40 years helping shape Calgary’s charitable landscape. His family, in partnership with CCPCS, continued Duclos’ spirit of generosity by launching Calgary’s first Kicking PancreAS™ 5K, which took place on June 13, 2026. The event marked the first Alberta stop of Canada’s only national fundraising run dedicated to pancreatic cancer. We spoke with Alessia Proietti, Healthcare Education & Communications Manager for CCPCS, to learn more.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society (CCPCS) is a national charity dedicated to both increasing survival and improving the quality of life for every Canadian diagnosed with pancreatic cancer through raising awareness, education, patient supports, and Canadian-based research funding. Our vision is a future where surviving pancreatic cancer is expected, not the exception.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers in Canada. Despite being only the 11th most diagnosed cancer, it is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is expected to become the second by 2030. With a five-year survival rate of just 12%, we believe Canadians deserve better outcomes and greater hope.
When did you start/join it?
I joined the organization in March 2026.
What made you want to get involved?
I first learned about CCPCS in 2022 while working as a journalist in Red Deer, Alberta, when I wrote a story about the organization. The connection became personal in 2024 when my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After moving back to Montreal to be with my family, we were referred to CCPCS by Dr. Michael Moser, a pancreatic cancer specialist and member of the organization’s Board of Directors.
The next year, I participated in my local Kicking PancreAS™ 5K and helped raise more than $10,000 for the cause. Inspired by the impact the organization had on patients and families like mine, I volunteered to help organize the following year’s event. Instead, as CCPCS was continuing to grow to meet increasing demand across Canada, I was offered the opportunity to join the team and help advance its mission.
What was the situation like when you started?
The pancreatic cancer landscape remains incredibly challenging. Despite being one of the deadliest cancers, awareness of the disease remains relatively low. Many people know little about pancreatic cancer—or even what the pancreas does—until they or a loved one are affected by it. Symptoms such as abdominal or back pain, changes in stool, and unexplained weight loss are often mistaken for other health conditions. Combined with the fact that there is no routine screening test for early detection, most patients are diagnosed at a later stage when treatment options are more limited. Additionally, because healthcare is delivered at the provincial level, standards of care and access to services can vary across Canada, highlighting the need for continued advocacy and healthcare education.
How has it changed since?
As I have only worked for the organization for three months, I would not say it has changed significantly in that time. However, even in these past few months, we have shared multiple patient stories through other Kicking PancreAS 5K events across Canada, helping raise awareness of the disease. There have also been major news announcements, including positive results from a U.S. clinical trial for the drug Daraxonrasib, which has shown promise in doubling survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients during chemotherapy. Overall, there is growing hope and increasing visibility for pancreatic cancer.
What more needs to be done?
A lot still needs to be done. In addition to increasing awareness, there is a need for a national standard of care, even within Canada’s provincially governed healthcare system. We are currently conducting a National Patient Experience Survey and forming a working committee of healthcare professionals, organizations, and patients to develop a National Care Pathway, so all Canadians can receive consistent, high-quality care. There is also a need to improve access to treatment options and genetic and biomarker testing, so patients do not have to leave the country for care. Finally, we need a shift in mindset—moving away from seeing pancreatic cancer as a death sentence and toward treating it as a disease where cure and hope are possible.
How can our readers help?
Readers can help by following our social media channels and sharing our content to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and our initiatives. If they know a pancreatic cancer patient or caregiver, they can connect them with us for support and encourage them to complete our National Patient Experience Survey, which helps identify gaps in care across Canada.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
Wellspring Alberta is an outstanding local charity that provides support for people living with cancer and their caregivers. They offer both in-person and online programs, including art therapy, yoga, and writing and storytelling workshops, which help support the mental and social well-being of families affected by cancer.
