Charity news

Pancreatic Cancer charities complete merger

Following our initial announcement this January, we are so excited to announce that the merger between PCA and Pancreatic Cancer Scotland has been formally completed!

Pancreatic Cancer Action

Pancreatic Cancer Scotland (PCS) and Pancreatic Cancer Action (PCA) have now officially joined forces, showing our commitment to make the 2020’s the Decade of Change for the world’s toughest cancer.

We’ve got a whole lot of history…

This merger brings together two organisations both of which formed in 2010, out of a need for a pancreatic cancer charity focussing on improving symptom awareness, early diagnosis and patient care in Scotland and the UK.

Helped by a wide community of passionate supporters, both charities have grown organically, enabling them to make huge strides in advancing support, healthcare, awareness, research and education.

PCS and PCA have always enjoyed a positive collaborative working relationship. Pancreatic Cancer Surgeon Ross Carter, who co-founded PCS explains: “Ali Stunt and I have known each other as pancreatic cancer activists prior to the formation of both PCS and PCA, and we have extensively collaborated for over a decade on many projects. 

This merger provides a symbiotic platform whereby both charities can benefit. We can minimise overheads, maximise innovation, optimise patient and carer benefit. Taking this action is an ideal fit for our concept of the ‘Decade of Change’.”

  • Ross will be a Volunteer Trustee of the UK wide organisation.

Support us!

With your help we can continue to improve early diagnosis and the quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients.

A united force!

The merger is a commitment to the people of Scotland, and the UK, of a stronger united force, pulling together to take determined action to change the numbers, to improve the outcomes for patients and families.

Addressing the urgent need to take more action and increase pancreatic cancer survival rates, we have merged to become one charitable organisation which will enable considerable progress and impact towards our shared vision.

PCA founder and CEO Ali Stunt, a 12-year survivor herself, believes that:

By coming together, we know we can make greater strides in making our vision, a day when everyone is diagnosed early and survives pancreatic cancer, a reality. Consolidating effort makes perfect sense at this time, especially when there are external challenges on organisations within the charity sector”.

What next?

Ali Stunt will be the Chief Executive of the merged organisation, with Fiona Brown, Development Manager of PCS managing the Scotland office, which will continue to use the PCS name for the time being. Work is underway to develop the combined organisation’s branding, future vision, strategy and action plans within the spirit of the merger.

Over the coming months our organisations will combine how we work to make sure we deliver our charitable aims together, in the best way we can.

Fiona says: “This is an exciting time in our 10th anniversary year, to strengthen and grow our combined activities, enabling us to add more value for our supporters, explore more opportunities and take more action to drive positive change”.

A commitment to our supporters in Scotland and the rest of the UK

PCS was mainly volunteer led until as recent as 2017 and continuing the original ethos of volunteer involvement in Scotland, a new Scottish Development Committee (SDC) of PCA has been created. With all funds raised in Scotland continuing to benefit Scotland, the SDC will bring together trustees, volunteers and employees, to provide an advisory role to support the direction and development of activities and projects.

Dedicated PCS volunteer and trustee Alison Clancy also joins PCA as a Volunteer Trustee, explains: “I am excited about the merger of PCS and PCA, two wonderful charities, striving for the same goals. Their combined efforts mean there will be a united front across the whole country, supporting patients and their families who are affected by pancreatic cancer. Having had personal experience of the pancreatic cancer journey and being a volunteer trustee with PCS, I was able to be involved in the merger process and I am thrilled to continue to have an active volunteer role within the newly merged organisation and Scottish Development Committee. Patients and families need a voice in Scotland!”

Take Action with us!

We are inviting you to pledge your support and to join us in taking action against pancreatic cancer and help to improve the survival rates of this terrible disease. With your help we can continue to improve early diagnosis and the quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients.

However you choose to take action, we are so grateful for your determination, generosity and support. Thank you!