Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Preventing Pancreatic Cancer in the Workplace
What is the Pancreas?
The pancreas is a pear-shaped gland, measuring about six inches, located in the abdomen near the stomach. Its emits enzymes that aid in digestion, metabolism and blood glucose levels. When cancer occurs in the pancreas, it is known to be difficult to detect and treat.
According to the Pancreatic Cancer Canada website, more than 7,000 Canadians were diagnosed with the disease in 2024. It is fatal in almost 90% of cases, making it among the deadliest of all cancers. Research shows that Gen-Xers and Millennials are facing a significantly higher risk of developing pancreatic and other cancers than previous generations.
Firefighting and Pancreatic Cancer
Firefighters die of cancer at a rate up to four times higher than the general population. Presumptive coverage under the WSIB streamlines the assessment of certain firefighter WSIB claims by presuming the worker’s injury or occupational disease is work-related, making it faster and easier for firefighters to access WSIB benefits and services. In 2023 Ontario expanded presumptive occupational cancer coverage for firefighters and fire investigators to include pancreatic cancers. See Ontario website.
Other At-risk Occupations
- Metal processing: Exposure to metalworking fluids, degreasers, and rust.
- Agriculture: Farmers have reported frequent exposure to pesticides.
- Chemical, petroleum, and rubber industries: Involves exposure to a variety of chemicals.
- Printing and dry cleaning: Both industries involve exposure to specific solvents and chemicals.
- Manufacturing: Workers in transformer manufacturing and those involved with dyes are at risk.
Mississauga’s Run for Survival
Features both a Fundraising 5K event, and a 1K family event!
Not near Mississauga? Join virtually and run from any location! Run for Survival is a movement of resilience, powered by community, and fueled by the urgency to change outcomes for one of the world’s most devastating cancers. Every step funds early detection research, treatment advancements, and patient support.
Info
Date: Saturday, October 24th, 2026.
Start Time: 12:00pm
Location: Erindale Park, Mississauga ON
Registration Options
5KM Walk/Run – $60
1KM Kids Walk/Run – $50
Virtual – $45
Race Kit Pick-Up
Friday, October 23rd, 2026.
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Running Room
Unit 1 2969 Argentia Road
Winston Churchill Blvd. & Hwy 401
Mississauga, ON L5N 0A2
Ph: (905) 814-6500
Email: winston@runningroom.com
Questions about the event? Email us!
info@pancreaticcancerna.org
Here are other ways to help:
Make a donation – Your gift can help us to shift the narrative around pancreatic cancer from the well-held notion that it is a death sentence, to it being a treatable and survivable cancer. Give today.
Follow Us – Follow Pancreatic Cancer Canada on social media, and post your photos using the hashtags #PancreaticCancerAwarenessMonth and #SurvivalNotSympathy. Whether you’re wearing purple in a selfie, or sharing the landmarks lit purple in your city/town; we want to see what this day means to you.
Host your own Fundraiser – Create an event in your community to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer and funds to advance advocacy, support services and innovative research. Learn more.
Engage Your Community – Ask your town or city to make a Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month proclamation during council proceedings to officially recognize this disease and its significance for members of the community. You can also ask local businesses to display a poster with the signs and symptoms or fact sheet in their window (available below).
Start a Conversation – Share your story on social media and get your network talking about pancreatic cancer. You can share your own story related to pancreatic cancer, posts from our social media pages.
