Wayne County Commissioners have proclaimed November 2009 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. From left,Commissioners Brian Smith, Anthony Herzog and Wendell Kay surround representatives from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Sally Venesky and Michele Craft, of the Scranton/Wilkes Barre affiliate. Ms. Venesky said that pancreatic cancer is the fourth largest cancer cause, yet only receives two percent of federal funding for cancer research. House Bill 745 has been introduced to amend that. Rep. Chris Carney is among the co-sponsors. Over 42,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States this year and over 35,000 will die from the disease- including 2,040 in Pennsylvania. No cure has been found and no significant improvement in early detection or treatment has been found. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only national patient advocacy organization focusing on this disease. Venesky invited the public to call (570)840-0096 for more information, or visit www.pancan.org. Herzog suggested that the Commissioners can research the House Bill and send a letter in support of more funding.