Esophageal Cancer Action Network:   ECAN's mission is to save lives by increasing awareness about the link between Heartburn and Cancer, promoting early detection and supporting medical innovation to prevent, detect and treat Esophageal Cancer. This national non-profit organization, based in Baltimore, is led by a board of directors of top physicians, business leaders, and families from around the country that have been touched by Esophageal Cancer. www.ecan.org

History:  ECAN was founded in 2009 by Mindy Mintz Mordecai and an impressive group of dedicated professionals after she lost her husband of 14 years to Esophageal Cancer.  Angry and frustrated because she believes that her husband and thousands more like him might never have died had they been aware of the link between Heartburn and Cancer, Mordecai is determined to prevent others from suffering the pain Esophageal Cancer has caused her family.

Accomplishments: Over the past 4 years, ECAN has made significant strides in the fight against Esophageal Cancer.  Among ECAN's successes:

• • A Guide for Patients: In July 2012, ECAN published an innovative Guide for Patients providing comprehensive and clear information about the link between Heartburn and Cancer. Created with input from doctors across the country, the guide is designed to help patients advocate for their own health care and is available as a free download from the ECAN website at www.ecan.org/patient_guide.  ECAN has partnered with libraries around the nation to host information sessions and distribute bookmarks to library patrons bearing key risk factors and a QR code linking to a free download of the Guide.

• • Critical Research: ECAN successfully advocated with the National Cancer Institute to change course and include Esophageal Cancer in its groundbreaking genome mapping project known as the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

• • Legendary Partnership: In April 2012, ECAN partnered with the estate of film icon Humphrey Bogart whose life was cut short in 1957 by Esophageal Cancer.  The Estate is working with ECAN to develop a nationwide public awareness campaign which includes movie trailers and other PSA's featuring Bogart and Lauren Bacall's son Stephen.

• • Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month:  ECAN led the effort to have April designated as Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month.  In 2009, Maryland Governor O'Malley declared April EC Awareness Month.  With ECAN's support over the past 4 years, more than 110 gubernatorial declarations of EC Awareness month have been achieved across the country and April is now observed as EC Awareness Month by companies, organizations and governments across the nation.

• • Events that make a Difference: ECAN continues to sponsor its annual dance event, the Cancer Dancer.  In April 2012, with nearly 300 in attendance to hear the inspiring words of former California Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher about her battle with Esophageal Cancer, ECAN hosted the first Gala ever held in the U.S. to focus on Esophageal Cancer advocacy.  The 2013 Cancer Dancer in April 2013 drew even larger crowds.  In 2014, the Cancer Dancer Gala will take place on April 5^th at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel with special guest Stephen Bogart. In 2014, the LA Clippers become the first professional sports team to host an Esophageal Cancer Awareness event on April 3rd.   ECAN sponsors and supports multiple fundraising and awareness events around the country including runs, bike rides, dinners, speaking events, art shows and more.

Esophageal Cancer Facts:

• • American Cancer Society reports Esophageal Cancer is one of the fastest increasing cancer diagnoses in the United States

• • Every 36 minutes someone in America dies of Esophageal Cancer

• • Fewer than 1 in 5 people diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer will survive 5 years

• • The fastest increasing type of Esophageal Cancer is caused by Heartburn or reflux disease

• • About 15 million Americans experience Heartburn everyday