Okaloosa County BOCC — October 21, 2014 — Action Item Printout — reading text

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: October 21, 2014 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Roland Sims Jr. SUBJECT: Proclamation Approval for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network DEPARTMENT: County Administrator BCC DISTRICT: All BACKGROUND: The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network advocates to increase awareness of the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. An estimated 39,590 Americans will die of pancreatic cancer in 2014, approximately 2,890 of whom live in Florida. In 2014, pancreatic cancer will afflict more than 46,420 Americans, 73% of whom will die within one year of their diagnosis, and 94% of whom will die within five years. The Network’s goal is to spread awareness throughout the State of Florida. It is important to get each county involved in raising awareness which will, in turn, raise funds, lead to more scientific breakthroughs and finally, treatments and a cure. To date, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and it is the only major cancer with a five-year relative survival rate in the single digits at just six percent. Furthermore, the incidence and death rate for pancreatic cancer are increasing, and pancreatic cancer is anticipated to move from the fourth to the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. by 2020. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Proclamation of "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" in Okaloosa County. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, Interim County Administrator