About Us
We refuse to accept the status quo.
Pancreatic Cancer Ireland was founded by people who experienced first-hand the devastating impact of this disease — and who decided that silence was not an option.
Our story
Pancreatic Cancer Ireland was established to address a critical gap in awareness, support, and advocacy for one of Ireland's most deadly cancers. With a 5-year survival rate of just 14%, pancreatic cancer demands urgent, unapologetic action.
Our co-founders, driven by personal loss and a determination to create change, built an organisation that puts patients and families at the centre of everything we do. We work collaboratively with those diagnosed, their families, healthcare professionals, and researchers.
Pancreatic Cancer Ireland became a registered charity in 2025. It operates on an entirely voluntary basis by individuals who have been personally impacted by pancreatic cancer.
Unapologetic
We demand better — loudly, persistently, and without apology. The status quo is not acceptable.
Patient-centred
Every decision we make is guided by the needs and voices of those living with pancreatic cancer.
Collaborative
We work with patients, families, clinicians, and researchers — because change requires all of us.
Evidence-based
Our advocacy is grounded in data, research, and international best practice.
Our Aims
Our objectives.
Raise awareness
- Among GPs by providing CPD training and online resources in collaboration with the Irish College of General Practitioners
- Among the general public by providing information online and on social media
Advocate for better healthcare
- Better pathways to treatment
- Standards on referral and treatment timescales
- Tumour profiling and setting up of a Biobank
- Establishment of a screening programme and funding for clinical trials
Develop a range of supports
- Providing literature in healthcare settings
- Developing online resources
- Funding hospital-based Pancreatic Cancer nurses
- Providing counselling and support for patients, families (including children and young people) and their support networks
Support research
- Funding a patient survey to gather data on symptoms, wait times and patient experience
- Funding the setting up of a Pancreatic Cancer Biobank to inform treatment, inform prognosis, decide eligibility for clinical trials and indicate familial risk in line with international best practice
- Funding the setting up of a national database of people with Pancreatic Cancer
Our People
The people behind the mission.
Rachel Duquesnois
Chairperson
Niall Rochford
Director
Pamela Deasy
Director
Join us in demanding better.
Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply share our mission — you are part of the change.