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Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Awards $250,000 Innovation Grant to Advance Rare Cancer Research with Funding from Bachrach Family Foundation
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation announced the recipients of the 2024 Innovation Grant, generously funded by the Bachrach Family Foundation.
Read More$550,000 in research grants awarded by the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
Research grants were made to support early-career, innovative researchers worldwide who are focused on studying cholangiocarcinoma at renowned institutions
Read MoreThe 2024 Mark R. Clements Award announced at the 11th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference
Awardees are honored for making significant contributions toward finding a cure for cholangiocarcinoma through advocacy, vision, innovation, and collaboration.
Read More4th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Poster Abstract Awards
Three winners awarded for making significant contributions to research for a rare cancer known as cholangiocarcinoma
Read MoreSoftball Tournament Promotes Community Spirit and Builds on Special Memories
The second annual Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Softball Tournament organized by the Bryant Family was held in March 2024 in Colonial Heights, Virginia.
Read MoreWinter 2023-2024 Community Fundraiser Highlights
This winter, our Community Fundraisers created new ways to raise funds for much-needed research and programs and to shine a spotlight on cholangiocarcinoma awareness.
Read MoreScientific Update: Webinar Recap – Immunotherapy Insights for Cholangiocarcinoma
In a recent CCF webinar, Dr. Haley Ellis provided an overview of recent advances in immunotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma.
Read MoreCholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month Highlights 2024
Awareness Month 2024 was the most inspiring yet! Thank you to all who participated in Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month this past February!
Read MoreScientific Update: FGFR2 Pathway Activation as a Therapeutic Biomarker for FGFR2 Inhibitors
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is among cholangiocarcinoma’s most frequently altered genes.
Read MoreFrom Football to Fine Art – A family finds creative ways to raise funds and awareness
In the summer of 2022, Taylor’s family received devastating news: her dad had been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma
Read MoreStrength in Community, Hope in Research: Creating a World Free of Cholangiocarcinoma
In October of 2005, my brother, Mark, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the bile duct, at the age of 38.
Read MoreScientific Update: Phase II Study of a Novel Immunotherapy Combination for Cholangiocarcinoma
The first line of treatment for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma is gemcitabine plus cisplatin…
Read MoreCholangioConnect in 2023
CholangioConnect had a successful 2023, and we invite you to learn more about the connections made and outreach achieved.
Read MoreAlie Plouff has been honored with the Daily Point of Light Award
CCF is delighted to announce that Alie Plouff has been honored with the Daily Point of Light Award on January 25, 2024. This prestigious award is a testament to her exceptional commitment to addressing the community’s needs with unwavering dedication. Alie’s journey as a caregiver for her mother, who survived cholangiocarcinoma for nearly four years,…
Read MoreNew Year’s Resolution
Welcome to 2024, a year that marks the beginning of a new chapter for all of us at the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.
Read MoreTeam CCF makes major strides
2023 was an incredible year for Team CCF. Team members participated in five marathons across the country.
Read MoreJingle for Janet 2023
In 2018, Eric Parker initiated the race as a special tribute to his late wife, Janet.
Read MoreA Convergence of Forces
This story is about three inspiring events which my wife, Linda, and I recently participated.
Read MoreScientific Update: Bile MicroRNA Profiling May Facilitate Cholangiocarcinoma Diagnosis
In diagnosing cholangiocarcinoma, it is essential to distinguish it from other conditions that can have similar symptoms or presentation…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 milestones to cherish in 2023
Join us in welcoming 2024! It is going to be an extraordinary year. The Foundation accomplished some remarkable achievements with the help of this community.
Read MorePatricia Maxin of Houston recognized for Service to the Rare Cancer Community
Patricia “Patty” Maxin of Houston has been honored with the prestigious Daily Point of Light Award from Points of Light.
Read MoreAutumn 2023 Community Fundraiser Highlights
This fall, CCF members nationwide organized successful fundraisers for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, aiding research and patient services.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Happy Holidays
As 2023 comes to a close, we reflect on a year of resilience, unity, and progress at the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.
Read MoreShine a light of hope for a better tomorrow
As the holiday season envelops us in its warm embrace, I find myself surrounded by the love of my family, cherishing precious moments and creating memories
Read MorePam Schubert Shares Her Story
I have known Pam only a few short months. In that time, we have discovered that we have some powerful life experiences in common.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Opportunities to share gratitude and give back
Gratitude has the power to heal! Did you know that studies have shown that expressing gratitude can boost emotional well-being, reduce stress, and enhance resilience?
Read MoreToni Pham of Woodlands, TX, recognized for Service to the Rare Cancer Community
Recognizing her exceptional efforts towards positively impacting her community, Toni Pham has been honored with the prestigious Daily Point of Light Award.
Read MoreScientific Update: Modulating Alternative Splicing to Unleash Anti-tumor Immunity – A Novel Therapeutic Approach
A recent study explored the therapeutic regulation of PD-1’s alternative splicing for potential anti-tumor effects in cancer therapy research.
Read MoreMandy Wallace: An Advocate Abroad
In the realm of cholangiocarcinoma advocacy, Mandy Wallace stands out as a beacon of inspiration and change.
Read MoreGiving Tuesday 2023
In Honor of #GivingTuesday, join us for Candles for the Cure 2023! Donations Giving is not just about making a donation, it’s about making a difference! A friend of CCF is matching #GivingTuesday/Candles for a Cure 2023 donations up to $25,000! Last year on Giving Tuesday, people came together to raise more than $3.1 billion…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Candles for the Cure 2023
As we enter the holiday season, we reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared throughout the year. We are deeply appreciative of your support of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.
Read MoreLike a light in the darkness
Paige Rew with her family Imagine a flickering candle, its light breaking through the darkness, symbolizing hope that continues even in the darkness. That is what has carried me through my journey with cholangiocarcinoma. In May 2018, I received my cancer diagnosis of Stage 4 Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, and I was afraid. I was not just…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – November is National Family Caregivers Month
National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM) is an annual observance dedicated to recognizing and honoring the selfless individuals who provide essential care and support to their loved ones.
Read MoreScientific Update: Tiliacorinine may Slow Cholangiocarcinoma Growth – Mechanistic Insights into a New Potential Therapy
Tiliacora triandra is a plant native to Southeast Asia used for cooking and traditional herbal medicine.
Read MoreOn the Road Again: Chicago and Beyond
For many, the song On the Road Again, by Willie Nelson may be cliché. For me, it’s real. I just can’t wait to get on the road again.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five Upcoming Events
The power of coming together as a community cannot be overstated in the face of rare cancers like cholangiocarcinoma.
Read More2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon with Team CCF
The 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon was held on a beautiful, crisp Fall morning on Sunday, October 8.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – #OctoberIs4Livers
October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month, giving the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) an additional opportunity to educate the public.
Read MoreBright Spot Network
CCF would like to introduce you to Bright Spot Network as a resource. Bright Spot is focused on helping families through a cancer diagnosis. In October, they are offering support groups applicable to our community. The organization focuses on supporting parents facing a cancer diagnosis while also raising young children. Please note that CCF is…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 ways YOU can get involved in Rare Cancer Day to help spread awareness
September 30th is Rare Cancer Day – an annual awareness event devoted to shining a light on rare cancers and the issues people living with them face.
Read MoreSummer 2023 Community Fundraiser Highlights
This summer, CCF community members across the country united their friends, family, and neighbors through a variety of unique and successful Community Fundraising events benefiting the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation’s research and patient services programs. Thank you to everyone who planned a fundraiser, attended an event, or donated in support of a friend or family member’s fundraiser.…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 ways to support Moving for the Cure
Moving for the Cure holds a special place in our hearts at CCF. It’s not just a walk, run, or fundraiser
Read MoreScientific Update – Bile Acids in Cholangiocarcinoma: A Potential Diagnostic Biomarker
In addition to aiding in digestion, bile acids may contribute to the formation and progression of gastrointestinal cancers.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five New Items in the CCF Store
CCF swag is a great and simple way to raise cholangiocarcinoma awareness.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five Community Member Spotlights
Each month, we recognize those whose contributions inspire us and who demonstrate excellence with their service to others.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five Educational Webinars
Did you know that CCF records all of the Educational Webinars and uploads them to our YouTube Channel?
Read MoreDr. Juan Valle Named Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation’s First Chief Medical Officer
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation announced the appointment of Dr. Juan Valle as its first Chief Medical Officer.
Read MoreScientific Update – Radiation-releasing “seeds” may slow cholangiocarcinoma growth by inhibiting VEGFR2 singling
External radiation has been used to treat cancer for many years, but recent technological advances have led to a new form of radiation from implanted iodine 125 (125I) “seeds.” This new approach is advantageous since it allows high doses of targeted radiation with minimal damage to surrounding tissues while being more convenient for patients than…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Clinical trials are essential to the cholangiocarcinoma community
In many cases, they can save lives. Finding the right clinical trial for YOU may seem complicated, but CCF is armed with education, tools, and medical experts to help you find the right clinical trial. This week we’d like to share five resources to help you find the right clinical trial!
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 Resources for support, coping with the fear of recurrence
For cancer survivors, fear of cancer coming back after treatment, often referred to as “fear of recurrence” can be a common experience.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five ways to use Recite Me
Did you know the CCF website has language, translation and accessibility options available? Recite Me offers digital inclusivity to our entire community.
Read MoreCCF Community Fundraisers Spring 2023 Highlights
Spring of 2023 saw a variety of unique and successful Community Fundraising events benefiting the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation’s research and patient services programs. CCF is grateful for the time, talent, and effort of each member of the CCF community that organized an event and for all of the neighbors, family members, and friends who supported their…
Read MoreScientific Update – Development of a Fluorescence-Based Probe to Facilitate Cholangiocarcinoma Resection and Diagnosis
Some early-stage cholangiocarcinomas can be surgically removed, but detecting microscopic cancer cells remains a significant challenge.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five CCF Programs
The generosity of donors has assisted us in advancing research in impactful ways and supporting patients and their families on this journey.
Read MoreCholangiocarcinoma Foundation Celebrates Major Milestone in Connecting Patients and Caregivers to Mentorship Program
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation is celebrating the 1,000th mentor-mentee match and six years of their mentoring program CholangioConnect.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five ASCO 2023 Highlights
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting took place in Chicago the first week of June. The Foundation provided an information booth in the Advocacy Pavillion and participated in premier scientific events for oncology professionals, patient advocates, industry representatives, and major worldwide media outlets.
Read MoreAn Inspiring Visit To California
Along with hundreds of family and friends (many of them talented musicians), I recently had the privilege to participate in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) Warrior, Tom Leitzke’s, Celebration of Life in Santa Cruz, CA. As the graphic image noted on the T-shirts worn by many at the event, Tom was an Artist, Musician, Creator, Husband, Father, Gramps,…
Read MorePatty Maxin’s CholangioConnect Experience
As I reflect upon the inception of CholangioConnect, a myriad of emotions flood my being. Unequivocally, I recognize that being a part of this vision has been one of the highlights of my life. I am overwhelmed with gratitude in having had the opportunity to christen a program that has so beautifully supported the cholangiocarcinoma…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five reasons to participate in Moving for the Cure
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five reasons to participate in Moving for the Cure Get ready to lace up your sneakers, stretch those muscles, and join us for an exhilarating event like no other: Moving for the Cure! Participants in any area, of any age, and of any athletic ability come…
Read MoreScientific Update – Circular RNA (circZNF215) in cholangiocarcinoma: A new possible therapeutic target
About 98% of the human genome is non-coding, meaning it does not contain the genetic code to make proteins. However, these non-coding regions are not “junk DNA.” Instead, they contain important regulatory elements that can affect gene expression, protein levels, and protein activity. One type of non-coding element is circular RNAs, and a recent study…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five Pages to Review in the Strategic Plan
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five Pages to Review in the Strategic Plan The Foundation’s Strategic Plan was unveiled at the 10th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference. Over the next few months, we will be ensuring you are kept apprised of all that the plan entails so you remain informed of our goals and…
Read MoreThe Fourth Annual Quack Out Cholangio 5K Run/Walk Raises Funds for Rare Cancer Research
The 4th Annual Quack Out Cholangio 5k Run/Walk to Crush Bile Duct Cancer was held May 20th at Midnight Oil Brewing Company in Newark. The race, hosted by Jan and Dean Meyer, is the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation’s largest community fundraiser in the USA. The Foundation is the leading global resource for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a rare but…
Read MoreTo the “City of Light” then on to “In The Middle Of It All” and “A New Day Every Day”
Wow, talk about a gratifying and full couple of days! As a volunteer for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF), it was an honor to recently participate in two events that are helping others affected by cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The first was the Cholangiocarcinoma Mini-Symposium, hosted by Buffalo, NY’s Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and CCF. The following…
Read MoreCCF Celebrates National Cancer Survivors Day – 2023
CCF aligns with the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation’s definition of a survivor as anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the rest of life. Who is a cancer survivor? CCF aligns with the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation’s definition of a survivor as anyone living with a history of…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 reasons to support Campaign for the Cure
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 reasons to support Campaign for the Cure Campaign for the Cure (C4C) is CCF’s longest-running annual campaign to raise critical funds for research. We have raised $70,000 of our $115,000 goal and need your help to cross the finish line by May 31. Click Here to…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 reasons to thank a Nurse during #NationalNursesWeek
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 reasons to thank a Nurse during #NationalNursesWeek As we celebrate National Nurse Appreciation Week, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank each and every one of our nurses who care for patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Consider thanking a nurse in your life for…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 ways to get involved with Campaign for the Cure
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 ways to get involved with Campaign for the Cure Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation’s Campaign for the Cure 2023 has kicked off and runs the entire month of May. With your support, we can continue championing research that leads to new treatments and a cure. Join us as we work to…
Read MoreMonthly Scientific Update – May 2023
APOBEC3-Mediated Mutagenesis in Cholangiocarcinoma Many enzymes are involved in the immune response to viruses and APOBEC3s are a class of those enzymes. APOBEC3s are expressed in cells as soon as a virus enters the body and they help eliminate it by damaging its genome. However, APOBEC3s can also act on host cell DNA, leaving it…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 Annual Conference Recordings to Watch
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 Annual Conference Recordings to Watch The 10th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference was a tremendous success! With 500 in-person and 500 virtual attendees, we built on existing collaboration and forged new partnerships. As always, hope and new friendships were abundant. The conference session recordings are now available on…
Read MoreCelebrating Jan Meyer’s Delaware Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Award
In this last week of National Volunteer Month, we celebrate Jan Meyer – an exceptional individual who is being recognized for her remarkable contributions to her community and beyond. Jan was presented the Delaware Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Award. Administered by the State Office of Volunteerism, the award honors individuals and groups in Delaware who…
Read More🤚🏻 Five (+2) for Friday – 7 Upcoming Community Fundraisers
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five (+2) for Friday – 7 Upcoming Community Fundraisers Spring is an excellent time to support the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, get involved in your community, and have fun! There are a variety of upcoming Community Fundraising events that offer unique and entertaining ways to get involved and support the cholangiocarcinoma community.…
Read More3rd Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Poster Abstract Awards
Three winners awarded for making significant contributions to research for rare cancer known as cholangiocarcinoma The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation announced the 2023 Poster Abstract Awards at its annual conference that took place virtually and in person in Salt Lake City April 12-14. The Foundation had 62 abstracts submitted with three selected for oral poster presentations. All…
Read More$500,000 in research grants awarded by the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
$500,000 in research grants awarded by the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Research grants were made to support early-career, innovative researchers worldwide who are focused on studying cholangiocarcinoma at renowned institutions The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, a nonprofit organization funding novel research for bile duct cancer, has awarded the ninth cycle of funding for its Research Fellowship Program. Ten early-career…
Read More2023 Mark R. Clements Award announced at the 10th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference
Award winners are honored for making significant contributions toward finding a cure for cholangiocarcinoma through advocacy, vision, innovation, and collaboration. The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation announced its 2023 Mark R. Clements Award honorees at its annual Salt Lake City, Utah conference. The award winners were honored for significantly supporting patients and rendering cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) a treatable disease.…
Read More🙌 Ten for Friday – 10 ways to get involved at the 10th Annual Conference
Home / Blog / 🙌 Ten for Friday – 10 ways to get involved at the 10th Annual Conference The 10th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference starts Wednesday, April 12, 2023. The virtual platform opens at 8:00 a.m. (MDT) on Monday, April 10th and is available to in-person and virtual attendees. Here are ten ways you…
Read MoreMonthly Scientific Update – April 2023
Radiomics Models May Help Identify Candidates for Surgery Most cholangiocarcinoma tumors are unfortunately detected at advanced stages, but surgical resection is sometimes possible for earlier-stage cancers. To better identify patients who may benefit from surgery, researchers are working to develop ways to predict postoperative disease recurrence. A recent study thus identified variables associated with post-surgical…
Read More10th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference features expert speakers from around the world
Mark R. Clements awards to be bestowed to four individuals at the conference, April. 12-14th SALT LAKE CITY, UT – The 10th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference begins on Wednesday, April 12th, and takes place at the Salt Palace Convention Center. The three-day conference is presented by the nonprofit Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and is also offered virtually.…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 resources to learn how volunteers make a difference
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 resources to learn how volunteers make a difference April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month. Join the Foundation in celebrating the work of CCF volunteers and consider how you can get involved. Become inspired by April’s Volunteer of the Month Spotlight Enjoy this special video about CholangioConnect…
Read MoreCholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month Highlights 2023
Awareness Month 2023 was the most impactful yet! Thank you to all who participated in Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month this past February! You spread awareness, hope, support, and love. Here is a glimpse of some of the results we saw: Fun Facts Light it Green requests submitted in all 50 states and at least four additional…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 Ways to Prepare for the 10th Annual Conference
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 Ways to Prepare for the 10th Annual Conference CCF’s 10th Annual Conference is less than a month away! The Foundation looks forward to uniting with our community, which is fearlessly working to find a cure for cholangiocarcinoma. Here are five ways you can prepare for the conference.…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 Nutrition Resources
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 Nutrition Resources Happy National Nutrition Month! “As a cholangiocarcinoma cancer patient myself, I know how curious and eager our patients are to learn about nutrition in relation to disease and treatments. I am committed to helping newly diagnosed patients get the information they need to…
Read MoreCCF CARE Teams 2023: Greetings From The Volunteer State
Have you ever wondered how Tennessee became known as the “Volunteer State”? Well, it goes back to the War of 1812 and then again during the Mexican-American War of 1846, when so many Tennessee militiamen stepped forward as volunteers to support the country’s call to serve. The state has had a number of interesting nicknames…
Read MoreMonthly Scientific Update – March 2023
Asbestos and Cholangiocarcinoma: A Pilot Study Kelly Butler Asbestos is a mineral-derived carcinogen linked to multiple human cancers. Although asbestos has been removed from thousands of commonly used consumer products, occupational and environmental exposures are still important cancer risk factors. A recent study thus sought to understand better whether asbestos is linked to cholangiocarcinoma. Forty…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 TeamCCF Stories
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 TeamCCF Stories TeamCCF began in 2016 as a way to raise money through athletic events for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Bibs for this year’s 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon are available now. Hear five stories from community members and learn more about why they decided…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 takeaways from GI ASCO 2023
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 takeaways from GI ASCO 2023 The American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium The American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (GI ASCO) is an annual global symposium that delivers the latest and most innovative science, research, and multidisciplinary educational content in the…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 Awareness Month Testimonials
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 Awareness Month Testimonials Thank you to all who have supported Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month so far. Yesterday, February 16th, was World Cholangiocarcinoma Day. There were several green lights around the globe in support of #GREENforCCA. Please enjoy stories from five members of the cholangiocarcinoma community on why…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 pages to review in the CCF Annual Report
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 pages to review in the CCF Annual Report CCF is pleased to share the 2022 Fiscal Year Annual Report highlighting the many accomplishments of CCF and this community. Thank you for your continuing support of this important work. CCF looks forward to even more success…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Social Media
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Social Media February is Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month. Please be sure to like, comment and share CCF’s posts to keep us popping up in your newsfeeds throughout February. Each day CCF will share your CCA stories, important facts, news and ways our community is spreading awareness. Here…
Read MoreMonthly Scientific Update – February 2023
LCK Inhibitor: A Novel Potential Therapy for Cholangiocarcinoma A variety of signaling pathways can become overactive in cancer to promote cell growth. One of these pathways is known as the Hippo signaling pathway, which involves the activation of “yes-associated protein” (YAP). YAP is regulated by another protein called LCK, which can turn on YAP through…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Awareness Month
During February, the Foundation invites everyone to participate in Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month, a campaign established to raise much-needed awareness of cholangiocarcinoma, with February 16th marking World Cholangiocarcinoma Day.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Biomarker Stories
Did you know that cholangiocarcinoma shares mutations with other cancers, such as Breast Cancer, Lung, Skin, Colon and Pancreatic Cancer?
Read MoreCholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month
February is Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month. The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) invites the community to help educate the public about bile duct cancer and raise much-needed funding for patient education, support, and research. You can assist us in spreading awareness of cholangiocarcinoma this February. In February of 2022, 16 official proclamations were declared, and more than 150…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Newly Diagnosed/New to CCF
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Newly Diagnosed/New to CCF If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, the Foundation created the Newly Diagnosed/New to CCF program to help patients and caregivers navigate this disease and to assure you that you are not alone. This week we’d like to highlight five…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – January is National Mentoring Month
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – January is National Mentoring Month The Foundation hopes you are having a Happy New Year! January is National Mentoring Month, and we would like to honor the mentors who serve as volunteers and thank them for their service. Here are five CholangioConnect stories from mentors and mentees. Fred…
Read MoreMonthly Scientific Update – January 2023
Apigenin-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles: A Potential New Treatment for Cholangiocarcinoma
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 7 Milestones from 2022
Join us in welcoming 2023! It is going to be an extraordinary year. The Foundation accomplished some remarkable achievements with the help of this community. Every project, partnership, and initiative the Foundation is involved with centers around patients.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Happy Holidays
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Happy Holidays As 2022 comes to a close, the Foundation celebrates the significant progress this year brought us. After accepting poor outcomes for far too long, the Foundation welcomed a new standard of care – the first in the last decade. The Durvalumab approval is a…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Stories of Hope
Cancer can take away a lot of things but never hope. The Foundation honors survivors and recognizes several friends who have been willing to share their stories of how they are living with #CCAHope.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Share Gratitude and Give Back
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Share Gratitude and Give Back As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to look for ways to show gratitude and give back to the CCF community. Here are five opportunities you may consider: Keep a gratitude journal Learn about how expressing gratitude makes you happier…
Read MoreBruce Coppock, Former Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, Dies at age 71
Bruce Coppock, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) and former President and Managing Director of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, died at 71 after a long battle with bile duct cancer.
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Candles for the Cure 2022
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Candles for the Cure 2022 The tradition continues with 2022 Candles for the Cure. This holiday season, Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation invites everyone to take part in our annual year-end holiday campaign called #CandlesForTheCure by lighting a virtual candle in honor or memory of friends or family who have…
Read MoreMonthly Scientific Update – December 2022
The Oral Microbiome in Cholangiocarcinoma: A Potential Biomarker that Could Promote Early Detection
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 Ways to Give
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 5 Ways to Give As 2022 comes to a close, there are a number of opportunities to support the Foundation. Your year-end giving makes an impact in the lives of those we serve. This week, we’d like to share five impactful ways you can make a year-end…
Read MoreLearning to say goodbye
For me, the most challenging part of cholangiocarcinoma was not all the chemo and disruption but dealing with my mortality. When I was diagnosed in November 2021, I asked my doctor about the prognosis. He said I had six months to 2 years to live. Those words still echo in my mind and feed the…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – National Children’s Grief Awareness Day
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – National Children’s Grief Awareness Day Yesterday, November 17, was National Children’s Grief Awareness Day. The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation recognizes the children of many of our patients who may also be experiencing a wide range of emotions due to their family member’s diagnosis. Click these links to learn…
Read MoreGiving Tuesday 2022
Thank you to everyone that participated in Giving Tuesday 2022! Donations Last year on Giving Tuesday, people came together to raise more than $2.7 billion to support the causes they care about. This year, you can participate in #GivingTuesday by sharing a UNselfie, which tells the world why it’s important to give and support CCF.…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Vietnam Veterans and Cholangiocarcinoma
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Vietnam Veterans and Cholangiocarcinoma Did you know Sheila Harrison was the first widow to have the Department of Veteran Affairs rule that her husband, Edward “Pete” Harrison’s death was connected to his exposure to liver flukes during his services in Vietnam? She helped make others aware…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five Caregiver Perspectives
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Five Caregiver Perspectives November is National Family Caregiver Month (NFCM)! The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation recognizes NFCM as a time to celebrate the contributions of caregivers. We are pleased to share five Caregiver stories this week: Caregiver Perspective – Jill Neubauer Caregiver Perspective – Laura Lee Caregiver Perspective…
Read MoreCCF’s Discussion Board
Dear Friends, On October 12, 2005, my brother was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. Thus began a journey I could not have foreseen. I was a stay-at-home mom with five young, busy children. I volunteered at school, church, and in our community. Immediately after Mark shared his diagnosis with our family, I began searching Google, reading publications,…
Read MoreMonthly Scientific Update – November 2022 (A recent study investigated the effects of PD-L1 expression on cancer cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA))
PD-L1 on Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells: A Potential Prognostic Biomarker for Cholangiocarcinoma Kelly Butler, Dr. Reham Abdel-Wahab Patients may develop cancer when some organ cells acquire mutations that allow rapid and uncontrolled cell proliferation. To survive and spread beyond the initial tumor site, cancer cells must stop the body’s immune system from identifying the cells as…
Read MorePatient Engagement and Cancer Genome Sequencing (PE-CGS) “Cancer Moonshot” Program
The research team at Washington University School of Medicine and the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center is partnering with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation to launch the National Cancer Institute-funded Patient Engagement and Cancer Genome Sequencing (PE-CGS) “Cancer Moonshot” program. This program provides an opportunity for cholangiocarcinoma patients, their caregivers, and advocates to participate in this research…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Meet Five CCA Physicians
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Meet Five CCA Physicians The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation realizes that the fastest way to advance research is by working together. As the leading advocate for patients, the Foundation is uniquely positioned to bring together world-renowned clinicians, researchers, and physicians to achieve a common goal: finding a cure.…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Meet 5 CCA Scientists
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Meet 5 CCA Scientists Finding a cure for a disease as rare and complex as cholangiocarcinoma demands creative solutions. When clinicians, scientists, and researchers collaborate, their experience and knowledge advance research. Meet five cholangiocarcinoma scientists: Sumera I. Ilyas, M.B.B.S. Lewis Roberts, Ph.D Lipika Goyal, M.D. Juan…
Read MoreCure Cholangiocarcinoma Think Tank (C2T2)
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation has published a white paper from the first Cure Cholangiocarcinoma Think Tank (C2T2 ) meeting, which gathered 29 expert scientists and clinicians from the world’s leading academic institutions The multi-disciplinary group was led by Dr. Mitesh Borad and Dr. Nilo Azad, chairs of the International Cholangiocarcinoma Research Network (ICRN). Topics selected for…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Meet Some of CCF’s Valued Experts
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – Meet Some of CCF’s Valued Experts Collaboration is essential for cholangiocarcinoma research. This month, join us in appreciating our medical professionals. We are recognizing them each week this month. Here are six of those valued experts: Scientific & Medical Advisory Board (SMAB) R. Kate (Katie) Kelley…
Read MoreLiving with #CCAHope
At the 9th Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference, the communications team introduced a new social media campaign, “Living with #CCAHope.” CCF has been sharing stories of hope from the entire cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) community throughout the year and will continue to do so throughout 2023. Since the announcement of this campaign, several individuals have shared how they…
Read MoreHappy Thanksgiving Canada
Dear Friend, Last Canadian Thanksgiving, I enjoyed dinner with my family. It was a small gathering of my husband, mom, brother, and two adopted dogs. It was everyone I loved dearly. My dad wasn’t there as he passed away in May 2020. He was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma a few months before his death. He had…
Read More🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 6 CCF Accomplished Medical Professionals
Home / Blog / 🤚🏻 Five for Friday – 6 CCF Accomplished Medical Professionals CCF collaborates with many physicians, clinicians, and researchers whose accomplishments in the cholangiocarcinoma field have significantly contributed to the organization. This week, we are proud to introduce you to six professionals, alphabetically by last name: Dr. Mitesh Borad ICRN Chair Dr.…
Read MoreMan runs a marathon each month in honor of his wife, who has been diagnosed with rare bile duct cancer twice
Delorean Ostrom’s ‘Racing for Hope’ campaign raises funds to advance cholangiocarcinoma research with proceeds benefiting the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Delorean Ostrom of Suwanee, GA, and his family’s life changed when his wife, Mandy, was diagnosed with a rare bile duct cancer called cholangiocarcinoma. To pay tribute to her, Ostrom is running…
Read MoreMonthly Scientific Update – October 2022 (Breath Tests Could Help Diagnose Cholangiocarcinoma: An Innovative Approach to Early Detection)
Kelly Butler, Dr. Reham Abdel-Wahab Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is often detected at an advanced stage that is difficult to treat. Early detection is an important area of research, and scientists are working to develop new tools to detect CCA in its early, more treatable stages. A recent paper laid the necessary groundwork for diagnostic breath tests,…
Read MoreRacing for Hope Journal Entry 21
When I got this idea to run a marathon a month, I knew it would be hard. I really underestimated the mental side of it. Training for this marathon wasn’t the best. Mandy had a procedure during training time and ended up with an infection. Which was another hospital stay and training time lost. This race…
Read MorePatients, Caregivers Share Why They Participated in ICPR
Cholangiocarcinoma patients are eager to contribute to science and accelerate research because of this newly approved FDA process and share their experience enrolling in the International Cholangiocarcinoma Patient Registry (ICPR). The following testimonials from four patients and one caregiver refer to their experiences enrolling for ICPR and receiving emails/phone calls about the free regisration. Register…
Read MoreCollaborative Research Groups
CCF has formed collaborative groups that work to achieve its mission to find a cure and improve the quality of life for cholangiocarcinoma patients. Each of them exemplify the organization’s core values: Patients First Patients First Collaboration Collaboration Innovation Innovation Innovation Urgency Learn more about the five groups that working for you. The Scientific and…
Read MoreRacing for Hope Journal Entry 20
Monday, September 12th, 2022 Mandy is having surgery to remove lymph nodes that are of concern. Walking into the hospital is never easy but for me, it has become easier. Getting checked in and even Mandy leaving me in the waiting room has become just routine. Today was different I was going to get to…
Read MoreNew standard of care for rare cancer with FDA approval of Imfinzi applauded by Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
AstraZeneca TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial showed adding immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy increases overall survival in advanced biliary tract cancer The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab). The TOPAZ-1 Phase III trial showed that durvalumab in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy resulted in improved overall survival (OS)…
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