Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with a five-year survival rate of around 12%. New Zealand diagnoses approximately 700 people annually. Late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options drive poor outcomes. Grants fund research, early detection, patient support, and palliative care. This guide covers the key funding sources.
Pancreatic Cancer NZ is the primary organisation:
- Awareness: Symptom awareness for earlier diagnosis
- Patient support: Information and navigation
- Research funding: Investment in pancreatic cancer research
- Advocacy: Treatment access and clinical trial access
Cancer Society NZ:
- Regional support for pancreatic cancer patients
- Research contribution
- Community education
Health system pancreatic cancer:
- Surgical oncology: Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) for operable cancer
- Medical oncology: Gemcitabine, FOLFIRINOX, and newer regimens
- Palliative care: Symptom management for advanced disease
- Endocrinology: Diabetes management in post-surgical patients
HRC funds pancreatic cancer research:
- Basic and translational science
- Clinical trials
- Early detection biomarkers
Pharmac funds pancreatic cancer treatment:
- FOLFIRINOX: Chemotherapy combination for pancreatic cancer
- Gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel: Standard treatment combinations
- Access to new agents: Ongoing advocacy for new treatments
Gaming trusts fund pancreatic cancer community services:
- Four Winds Foundation: Community health
- Grassroots Trust: Community health
- Pub Charity: Community health events
- Lion Foundation: Community health
Gaming trust pancreatic cancer applications:
- Patient support events
- Awareness campaigns
- Transport to treatment
- Nutritional support during treatment
Pancreatic cancer early detection is critical:
- Biomarker research: Blood and urine biomarkers for early detection
- Imaging: MRI and CT protocols for high-risk surveillance
- Genetic testing: BRCA2, PALB2, and other pancreatic cancer genes
- High-risk surveillance: Surveillance for familial pancreatic cancer
Advanced pancreatic cancer is a palliative care priority:
- Symptom control: Pain, nausea, jaundice management
- Nutritional support: Pancreatic enzyme replacement
- Psychosocial: Psychological support for patients and families
- Hospice: Community and inpatient hospice for end-stage disease
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Awareness: Symptom recognition reducing time to diagnosis
- Research: Early detection and new treatment development
- Patient support: Navigation through rapid, complex treatment
- Palliative care: Quality of life for advanced pancreatic cancer
- Clinical trials: Access to new treatments through trials
- Family support: Caregiver wellbeing for a fast-progressing illness
- Financial hardship: Practical support for patients unable to work
Tahua's grants management platform helps pancreatic cancer organisations manage grant applications across Pancreatic Cancer NZ, Cancer Society NZ, gaming trusts, and health foundations, tracking awareness, research, and patient support outcomes.