A Message from our Founder & CEO

ECAN has never been a job for me. It’s been my passion. Leading this movement to save lives has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Only your generous support and trust made that possible – and I thank you.

It’s no surprise that I was flooded with a robust mix of emotions as I decided to retire as ECAN’s President and CEO at the end of this year. In my heart, I know it is the right decision for me – and for ECAN. New energy and ideas can only make ECAN better. And as I approach the age of 67, I look forward to having weekends and evenings free, sharing adventures and relaxation with those I love. But I will miss being immersed in this work and the wonderful people I’ve met.

As I reflect on the 16+ years since we began this effort, I’m distressed by the many hopes we could not realize. But I also celebrate what a difference our ECAN family has made for those at risk for or diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer. Please indulge me as I remind you of some of what we have accomplished together:

• EC Awareness Month ECAN started Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month in April 2009. Since then, it has been embraced and observed every year by many thousands across the U.S. – and in other nations, too.
• TCGA In 2011, ECAN convinced the National Cancer Institute to change course and include Esophageal Cancer in its ground-breaking genome mapping project known as TCGA: The Cancer Genome Atlas.  That research eventually led to FDA approvals of immunotherapy for Esophageal Cancer patients in 2021.
• Events, Stars, PSAs ECAN helped families across the country to raise awareness with events in their communities – and hosted some of our own. In 2012, ECAN attracted support from the Estate of Humphrey Bogart, including Bogie’s son Stephen, and in 2015, from comedian Jeff Foxworthy.  They have both headlined ECAN events and starred in public service announcements that share our life-saving message with millions.
• Warning Labels ECAN filed a petition with the Food & Drug Administration in 2017 seeking cancer warning labels on over-the-counter heartburn remedies, and in the process, educated millions that reflux disease can lead to a deadly cancer.
• Millions for Research Since 2019, advocacy on Capitol Hill by our ECAN community has resulted in many millions of additional dollars for Esophageal Cancer research year after year – totaling more than $20 million in the past four years.
• Trusted Source To ensure that patients had reliable information as they made their healthcare decisions, ECAN sought out the latest studies, interacted with researchers and industry leaders, and then shared the knowledge gained with patients and families. As a result, ECAN is proud to be a trusted source about Esophageal Cancer prevention, detection, and treatment for patients across the country – and in other nations, too.
  • Guide for Patients Our free, downloadable Guide for Patients, produced with input from physicians across the country, has been providing the basics about the link between reflux and cancer to thousands of people every year since 2012.
  • Animated Resources In 2023, ECAN launched animated educational resources to help the public better understand Esophageal Cancer – and how to prevent, detect, diagnose, treat, and cure this devastating disease.
• Centers of Excellence ECAN is now working to create standards that patients can rely upon when we designate Centers of Excellence in Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Cancer, so patients know where to turn for world-class care.

Throughout the years, we have seen exciting progress. And people like you have made all the difference. I’ve been honored to meet and work with so many members of our amazing ECAN community, including:

• Researchers whose discoveries chart a course to defeat this devastating disease.
• Industry leaders whose new tools and therapies, I believe, may lead us to widespread prevention and effective treatments – maybe even in my lifetime.
• Medical Professionals who are on the front lines of this battle every day.
• Individuals and families motivated to make a difference, having experienced the heart-wrenching loss that my own family has known.
• And – most uplifting – many, many more Survivors than we ever could have anticipated when our work began.

Since 2009, we have seen the overall five-year Esophageal Cancer survival rate climb from 15% to 22%.

Progress? Yes. But not nearly enough.

That’s why ECAN has begun the search to zero in on just the right person to lead ECAN as it reinvigorates its quest to end Esophageal Cancer. (You’ll find the job description for ECAN’s new Executive Director here.)

In the coming months, I will join our dedicated Board of Directors to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership – doing all I can to foster success for ECAN’s next executive leader. And I won’t disappear when I retire. To the extent it is helpful, I will stay involved.

But today, I want to be sure you know how deeply grateful I am to you for all you have done to make ECAN possible.

There is no ECAN without you.

With immense hope for the future,