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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 30, 2022

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GLENVILLE, WV – ����ֱ�� President Dr. Mark A. Manchin has signed a resolution proclaiming November 30, 2022 as campus Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day. The resolution was made official at an event earlier today.

Pancreatic cancer awareness is a cause near to the hearts of Manchin and his family. His wife, ����ֱ�� State’s First Lady Gigi Manchin, passed away this summer due to pancreatic cancer complications.

Mrs. Manchin’s sister Vicki and daughter Tara were on hand and both spoke at the event.

“My mom, Virginia “Gigi” Manchin, passed away in July from this nasty disease called pancreatic cancer. But, because of that tragedy, I want to be even more of an advocate – I want everyone to be an advocate,” said Tara Manchin. “And while survival rates for pancreatic cancer have improved over the last few years, we need to do more and increase the awareness. I hope that you too will be an advocate.”

Annette Fetty-Santilli, a Community Advocate for West Virginia with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, was on hand to provide information and a personal story – she lost her brother to pancreatic cancer in 2007.

Sarah Nale and Joshua Stubbs sang “My Home Among the Hills” to close out the event. Nale and Stubbs instruct vocal students at ����ֱ�� State; Nale is director of the choir and chamber singers.

According to information from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, over 62,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States in 2022. They also note that pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and is currently the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.

Visit for information about Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in addition to advocacy resources, pancreatic cancer symptoms, educational webinars, patient stories, and more.