PANCHA
PANCREATIC CANCER HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION
PANCHA is dedicated to assisting the families of those suffering from pancreatic cancer. As having witnessed and experienced the pains of cancer first-hand from a loved one, we empathize with the difficulties associated with cancer in the family, and we are committed to supporting families through these challenging times.
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
PANCHA is dedicated to assisting the families of those suffering from pancreatic cancer. As having witnessed and experienced the pains of cancer first-hand from a loved one, we empathize with the difficulties associated with cancer in the family, and we are committed to supporting families through these challenging times. Our top priorities for this organization are that the pancreatic cancer patients we help truly are provided the best care and most respect they can get.
Since Our Founding In 2023
Your Donations Have Gone Toward:
After listening to the feedback from the community, our main focuses for the next year are:
1. Food assistance
2. Improvement in quality of patients experience
3. Providing hope & allowing for patients to spend time with family
About Us
Two years ago, our grandmother, Pramila Rao, passed away after battling pancreatic cancer. During her treatment, she was put into a nursing home since it was impossible to find someone we knew that would provide her proper care 24/7. In this nursing home, the nurses did not treat her with respect or kindness. On one occasion, she had to wait 3 hours to go to the bathroom as she was unable to without assistance. She waited patiently in pain only to be denied because she did not say “please”.
We believe that cancer patients should be treated respectfully, with their comfort, health, and overall well-being prioritized, so that no patient undergoing grueling therapy has to worry about anything other than beating cancer. We plan to ensure the pancreatic cancer patients we help are given the best care and respect that our Ajji never got.
What Is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. These cells can form into tumors, invade nearby tissues, and spread throughout the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Over the past several decades, doctors have been trying to find a cure for cancer.
Once cancer starts growing inside the body, it can create tumors, which are made up of cancer cells. Sometimes, the cancer cells can break free from the tumors and spread throughout the entire body. If the cancer leaves its primary area, it can cause problems in one’s organs; this is called metastasis. Worse problems are known to occur when abnormal cells begin to expand. For instance, if one has pancreatic cancer, and the abnormal cells spread to the lungs. There can be complications within the lungs, but it’s still considered pancreatic cancer, not lung cancer.
What Is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer begins in the pancreas, which is an organ that is positioned behind the stomach. The pancreas helps one digest food and produces hormones. Pancreatic cancer is when abnormal cells multiply out of control, creating a tumor. Pancreatic cancer can cause abdominal pain, lack of appetite, jaundice, unplanned weight loss, and fatigue. If the cancer is left untreated, it can spread and take over other organs in the body. Pancreatic cancer treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. This type of cancer is even more difficult to treat because it shows resistance to pancreatic cancer medicine. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to identify in the early stages, which causes it to become even more difficult to treat.
Cancer Progression
PANCHA Donations
Donations go toward funding Pancreatic Cancer Healthcare Association, which currently includes providing respectful, caring nursing staff for families with pancreatic cancer patients, creating care packages for patients, helping to pay for patients’ cancer treatment, spreading awareness, and educating people. Fundraising occurs at PANCHA events and on this website.
Meet The Board
We are proud to be led by an impressive and committed board of directors who work tirelessly to ensure that our goals both big and small are accomplished. Meet the members of our board of directors below:
Co-Chairs
Kiren Mahadevia is a 18 year old student at University of Virginia. He is interested in writing, sports, and music. Through PANCHA, Kiren hopes to support pancreatic cancer patients and their families in any way possible in order to ease the pains associated with cancer.
Simryn is a 15 year old student attending McDonogh School and enjoys playing basketball. Simryn’s goal for PANCHA is to assist and improve the quality of the lives of pancreatic cancer patients by creating effective solutions to make this battle somewhat easier for patients and their families.
Jai Rao is a 11 year old student at McDonogh School. He is interested in playing soccer, basketball, and piano, as well as practicing martial arts. His top goal for PANCHA is to create a facility where patients can have all their needs taken care of.
Treasurer
Sudhir R. Rao
PANCHA MERCH
PANCHA MERCH
By allowing merchandise purchases to directly contribute to fundraising for PANCHA, we can join hands in support of families fighting pancreatic cancer. Let's make a positive impact together!
By allowing merchandise purchases to directly contribute to fundraising for PANCHA, we can join hands in support of families fighting pancreatic cancer. Let's make a positive impact together!
Get Involved
PANCHA is dedicated to assisting the families of those suffering from pancreatic cancer. To help fundraise for this cause or get involved with events, contact or donate using the buttons below!