Hi everyone,
We’re proud to share a major milestone.
On July 25, The Heather Cutler Foundation formally announced the launch of Port to Care, our first patient-focused grant. Starting next month, this $500 travel relief grant will be available to Canadians living with pancreatic cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador who must travel to access treatment. It’s a small but critical step toward addressing the financial burdens faced by those in rural and remote areas.
We also announced the launch of our From Coast to Cure fundraising initiative, which will lead to a dedicated research grant in 2026. This grant will prioritize pancreatic cancer research that is based in, and benefits, Atlantic Canada—with a focus on early detection, rural care delivery, and inclusion in clinical trials. Far too often, research investment is concentrated in larger provinces, leaving regions like ours without adequate attention or resources.
As part of this update, we also shared outcomes from our recent meeting with the Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of Health, where we:
- Advocated for the integration of genetic and molecular profiling at diagnosis
- Recommended adding pancreatic cancer to MyHealthNL’s elective screening options
- Shared direct caregiver testimony on the realities of care and loss
- Raised urgent concerns over the absence of pancreatic cancer trials in NL
- Gratefully welcomed an offer to promote November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month across government channels
This work is personal, and your support matters.
Every signature on this petition helps push for real policy change—whether that’s increasing access to life-extending trials, reducing travel barriers, or finally bringing attention to a cancer that has been ignored for too long.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, we are building a new standard of care—one that doesn’t leave rural Canadians behind.
Watch the special live event: https://youtu.be/5Qj20VqHYKI
—
Christopher Cutler
Founder & Executive Director
The Heather Cutler Foundation