Oklahoma first State in the Nation with Pancreatic Cancer Awareness License Plate

June 29, 2011

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Oklahoma is leading the way by being the first state in the nation to offer a Pancreatic Cancer Awareness/Funding license plate. It will be available by November 1, 2011. No other state in the nation has such a license plate.

It is a fund-raising license plate for the OU Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, dedicated to the continuing research for early diagnosis and treatment and hopefully a cure of Pancreatic Cancer.

Most Oklahoman’s don’t know we have research in Oklahoma for, early diagnosis, treatment and cure for Pancreatic Cancer.

On every level, only a small percentage of funding is given for Pancreatic cancer research. However, $20 of the $35.00 cost, for each license plate, will be given, through the OK Tax Commission Motor Vehicle Division, to The OU Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund. The money stays in Oklahoma, bringing hope for Pancreatic Cancer patients and their families.

Why do they need to raise funds? Because little is known about thr risk factors and there are no early detection methods for pancreatic cancer. This disease is very difficult to diagnose and treatment options are extremely limited. Which is why the survial rates for pancreatic cancer have been in the single didgets for the past 40 years.

Pancreatic Cancer is the tenth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. In fact, the expected number of new Pancreatic Cancer cases is projected to increase 55% between the years 2010 and 2030. For every 425 patients, in Oklahoma, diagnosed this year, with Pancreatic Cancer, 400 will die within one year with this cancer. The average life expectancy after diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is three to six months, in the US.

On the left side of the license plate Is a Purple ribbon of HOPE, holding a “Forget Me Not” flower stem, and to raise awareness, along the bottom is a purple banner stating “Pancreatic Cancer”. All lettering will be in purple except that which is white on the banner and ribbon.

The license plate can be personalized or pre-numbered. The $35.00 price is the same for either choice, plus $3.00 for the Tax Commission to mail the license plate to you.