The riders gathered at Queen's University before heading out on Monday morning.

A unique partnership has been formed between the NCIC Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) at Queen’s University and the 7 Days in May Foundation. For the second year, the Foundation has organized a seven-day bike ride, 7 Days in May, to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. Funds raised during the ride will be donated to the NCIC CTG for its ongoing clinical trial, PA.6.

PA.6 is a clinical trial targeted at significantly improving the survival odds for pancreatic cancer patients. It is studying the benefit of chemotherapy to help prevent recurrence for patients who have had surgery for pancreatic cancer. Queen’s professor and oncologist James Biagi is the study’s co-chair.

“Pancreatic cancer is common, but it remains one of the least curable of the cancers,” says Dr. Biagi. “Years of clinical trials research have recently started to show great promise, but we need to do more, and funding for research is critically important. That is why we are so excited to collaborate with the riders and participants of the 7 Days in May Foundation. The generosity displayed by them inspires us, and no doubt our patients, to fight on.”

Queen's professor James Biagi is
studying pancreatic cancer at NCIC
CTG.

The Foundation was set up in memory of Lorraine Townley, Foundation founder Gord Townley’s mother. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2009, she became an advocate for others by participating in clinical trials. She lost her battle to pancreatic cancer in November 2011. 7 Days in May is an annual event hosted by the Townley family in memory of Ms. Townley.

All proceeds are directed towards PA.6, a pancreatic cancer clinical trial being conducted by the NCIC CTG.

“Less than two per cent of funding is focused on this type of cancer but it’s the deadliest of the top ten cancers,” says Mr. Townley. “We are trying to instill a sense of hope in people. It’s all about a cure and this trial will make a difference.”

The NCIC Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) is an academic clinical trials cooperative oncology group that conducts phase I-III trials testing anti-cancer and supportive therapies across Canada and internationally. It is one of the national programmes and networks of the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute CCSRI, and is supported by the Canadian Cancer Society. The NCIC CTG’s Central Office is located at Queen’s University.