Dr. Matthew Wilson, WilmU’s chair of Humanities, First Year Experience, and English as a Second Language, was interviewed as part of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s virtual “Voices in Action” event, which premiered on June 14 to kick off PANCAN’s 2021 Action Week.
The one-hour event highlighted stories of those who have survived or whose loved ones have been affected by this disease to bring awareness to the fight against it. Former “Star Trek” actors Kitty Swink, Armin Shimerman, and Jonathan Frakes hosted the special, along with PANCAN’s president and CEO, Julie Fleshman.
Dr. Wilson, a pancreatic cancer survivor and an active advocate for PANCAN, was preceded in the event by U.S. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, who discussed his family’s experiences with the disease. Dr. Wilson and Sen. Coons have worked to obtain funding for pancreatic cancer research and to support those with the cancer. They both attended PurpleStride Delaware: The Walk to End Pancreatic Cancer in June.
In his interview, Dr. Wilson applauded all of the organization’s advocates for spreading the word about pancreatic cancer and providing support to those affected.
“Thank you for your boldness and willingness to step out to take action and to raise your hands and voices,” he said. “Great things have happened in the past and greater things are on the horizon because of your willingness to make your voices heard. I am honored to work alongside you in your efforts.”
PANCAN’s “Voices in Action” can be viewed on YouTube. For more information about PANCAN, visit its website at https://www.pancan.org.