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What is Appendix Cancer? Cancers and tumors of the appendix are rare. Appendix cancer originates in the cells lining the inside of the appendix. There are a number of different tumors of the appendix depending on the type of cells involved. The different types of disease exhibit different behaviors, with some being slow growing, while others are more aggressive. Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a type of appendix cancer characterized by the presence of mucin, a gelatinous material surrounding the cancer cell. Cells from a mucinous tumor leak into the abdominal cavity and implant on the peritoneum or other abdominal organs, replicating and producing mucin that spreads throughout the abdomen.
Researchers are excited about the potential that genomic sequencing holds for AC/PMP patients, as the more tumor mutations and markers that are identified in these patients, the greater the opportunity for targeted therapies. We are excited about the promise of new therapies and need your help to push the science forward to bring additional options to patients and their families.
What is Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday is on Tuesday, November 30, 2021! Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations. The aim is to create an international day of charitable giving to support nonprofit organizations at the beginning of the holiday season.
Why Donate? Because the ACPMP Research Foundation is a small charitable organization created by a community of individuals affected by appendix cancer/PMP whose mission is twofold: to fund research to ultimately find a cure for these rare diseases, and to fund and support educational programs for physicians, clinicians, patients, and caregivers.
The incidence of appendix cancer in the US is rising. Incidence rates of individuals of all ages with appendix cancer have risen 232% between 2000 and 2016 in the U.S. Appendix cancer is a rare cancer but it deserves recognition, funding, and research so that our patients have better diagnosis, more treatment options, more referrals to specialists, and one day hopefully a cure.
The ACPMP Research Foundation is the only nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research for appendix cancer and PMP. No funding is directed to appendix cancer or PMP from any other large cancer charities. Rare cancers like appendix cancer often receive no government funded research either.
Fundraising and donations are how ACPMP supports critical, impactful research and educational programs. The foundation is largely an all-volunteer organization and 100% of all funding comes from fundraisers created by patients, their families and friends, as well as individual donations from family members in honor or in memory of loved ones. All donations are 100% tax deductible. For more info about the ACPMP Research Foundation, visit acpmp.org.
Every donation makes a difference and this year, your contribution will be matched dollar for dollar up to $12,500 by two generous donors!
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!
10 Things Your $10 Supports:
Funding Research for Appendix Cancer and Pseudomyxoma Peritonei
The ACPMP Research Foundation has awarded $1.3 million in the form of 27 research grants over the past 12 years. These research grants have had a tremendous impact, culminating in 21 peer-reviewed scientific research articles. You can see a complete list of the research grants awarded here.
ACPMP's research approach is to seek out objectively worthwhile research using a rigorous RFP submission, review process that focuses on basic science, foundational medical research that can be used to support more robust studies, phased trials, and/or lead to further funding of tumor biology, genetic profiling, translational studies and immunotherapy.
Providing Physician/Researcher Scholarships
ACPMP provides scholarships to physicians attending relevant medical conferences. The scholarships typically cover registration fees and lodging for the event. In the past, ACPMP has supported the Biennial International Congress on Peritoneal Surface Malignancies, Advanced Cancer Therapies symposium, and the Mid-Atlantic Working Group Practitioner Meetings.
ACPMP is pleased to announce our support for a $25,000 Young Investigator Award through the Society of Surgical Oncology. ACPMP will be providing financial travel awards for Advanced Cancer Therapies meeting at the 2022 International Conference on Surgical Cancer Care hosted by SSO.
Supporting Educational Symposiums Across the U.S.
Education is a critical part of the ACPMP’s mission, and the foundation hosts a variety of educational events each year. The foundation partners with several prominent institutions that treat AC/PMP to host patient-physician symposiums. These events allow our local community to learn about the latest developments.
Clinical Trials
The ACPMP Research Foundation provides an up-to-date list of clinical trials currently enrolling patients with Appendix Cancer and/or Pseudomyxoma Peritonei from appendiceal origin. ACPMP endeavors to keep this list as updated and complete as possible; our clinical trials page identifies and explains in plain language clinical trials currently recruiting appendix cancer and/or PMP patients.
A phase one clinical trial directly arising from a 2016 ACPMP grant marks the first novel treatment to be developed specifically for PMP in decades. This mucin-dissolving treatment called “BromAc” is based on a novel compound composed of bromelain (an extract found in pineapples) and acetylcysteine and will soon be available through a clinical trial in the U.S.
Physician Educational Webinars
ACPMP regularly coordinates and hosts educational webinars for patients and physicians highlighting critical research and developments of importance to our patients. Virtual webinars feature researchers and physicians who discuss new developments in AC/PMP.
The Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation is committed to increasing the knowledge, understanding, and awareness of appendix cancer and pseudomyxoma peritonei all while making it accessible to anyone by being virtual and sharing the recordings online for easy access.
Establishing ACPMP's Patient Registry
An appendix cancer pseudomyxoma peritonei patient registry will be available in early 2022 to study AC/PMP and to enable patients to participate in research. The ACPMP Patient Registry will be a natural history study that consists of electronic surveys that patients, guardians or caregivers from anywhere in the world can complete detailing their AC/PMP journey. The goal is to give patients a voice and allow them to contribute directly to research to enhance the understanding of these diseases.
The ACPMP Patient Registry is a platform for patients to share information about Appendix Cancer and Pseudomyxoma Peritonei to build an international resource to be used by scientists in future research. The data is made anonymous and stored securely in an online portal called a registry.
Patient Advisory Council
ACPMP's Patient Advisory Council is a volunteer group that works alongside the foundation to help with our mission. Patients, caregivers and advocates bring ideas and enthusiasm to help make a difference for appendix cancer/PMP patients.
The Patient Advisory Council provides perspectives on patient/caregiver experiences with appendix cancer and/or PMP across all stages of their disease, coordinates local patient group meetings called "Appendix Cancer Allies" online and in person and more.
Furthering Appendix Cancer Awareness
This year, ACPMP had a hand in establishing August as the official awareness month for appendix cancer in the U.S. This further enhanced awareness efforts along with the official ribbon color for appendix cancer, which is amber. Throughout the month of August, ACPMP shared graphics with facts, shared multiple patient stories, arranged for 7 landmarks to be lit up amber and posted about different events and happenings that occurred over the month.
ACPMP also supports and participates in Rare Disease Day, Rare Cancer Day, World Cancer Day and more to raise awareness throughout the year!
ACPMP partners with different organizations, businesses and institutions to help further raise awareness of this rare cancer.
Critical Patient Resources
The foundation provides a wide range of resources to support patients and their loved ones, offering personal one-on-one guidance whenever possible. This assistance is especially helpful for patients trying to navigate the complex web of information that is available online.
A new patient guide is available on ACPMP's website, providing links to resources and information about critical next steps following diagnosis. Locating a physician familiar with AC/PMP is challenging; ACPMP’s website features a specialist map identifying physicians by state who have experience with this rare cancer.
Additional support includes a resource page with links to educational materials, a video library of past educational events, a Facebook support group with over 4,900 members, and a patient stories page which includes personal stories from patients providing hope, insight and words of wisdom.
Annual Appendix Cancer PMP Annual Walk
ACPMP hosts various events online and in person for patients to connect with each other. One of our most successful events has been our 15 year annual awareness walk which thanks to all of you has raised over half a million dollars for research and education.
Our awareness walk has recently gone virtual so anyone (even internationally) can participate. Participants receive a t-shirt and it is a great opportunity to set up a team page and walk/run in honor or in memory of someone and to raise awareness of Appendix Cancer PMP. This event brings together those affected by appendix cancer/PMP and their friends and family across the world to make a difference.
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Will you be ONE of 1,000? Give a little. Help a lot.
We're asking 1,000 people to immediately show support by donating just $10 for Giving Tuesday. With your help, we hope to raise $10,000 for appendix cancer research, education and awareness. The $10k raised will then be matched dollar for dollar, doubling your impact!
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Because of your donation, we are able to further our mission to one day find a cure for appendix cancer and pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). Thank you for your support!
Thank you from all of us with the ACPMP Research Foundation! With your help, we hope to reach our goal of $10,000 which will then be matched by an anonymous donor in honor of Giving Tuesday. We are processing your payment and will email you your receipt shortly.
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