The Heather Cutler Foundation

We're looking for new Community Engagement Volunteers to join us in hitting the streets of downtown St. John’s, Newfoundland as we raise awareness for the “OG Smaller Province” for e-5186 on Pancreatic Cancer in our home capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador. Have a personal connection to someone undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer have lost someone too soon? Apply today to join the street campaign, or share this post with your network, and help us connect with the community on the important issues highlighted in e-5186. #Newfoundland #Labrador #NL #VolunteerOppprtunites #Advocacy #PancreaticCancer

In February, The Heather Cutler Foundation will launch a small trial street campaign in downtown St. John’s. This campaign is designed to form deeper personal connections with the community and raise awareness about Petition e-5186. The petition advocates for critical improvements in pancreatic cancer care across Canada, including equitable access to clinical trials, expedited drug approvals, and national testing guidelines. Make no mistake—while the foundation was born during a time of immense tragedy, it was also born from the necessity for action and a mother’s love. Heather’s determination to care for others, even while facing pancreatic cancer, inspires every step we take. This campaign is an extension of that drive—to honor her legacy and advocate for the changes that are so desperately needed. The initial campaign images captured the excitement we feel when developing new ways to connect with our community. However, we felt they didn’t fully align with the gravity of this issue. The updated images reflect the determination, pride, and urgency that come with fighting for better outcomes—not just for those living with pancreatic cancer but for all Canadians. We’re grateful for the support and attention our campaign has received so far. Together, through Petition e-5186, we can push for the federal government to make pancreatic cancer a national priority and bring advancements that will benefit countless Canadians in the years to come.

Ascites is a common but difficult complication for those living with pancreatic cancer and their families, often occurring in the later stages of the disease. It happens when fluid builds up in the abdomen, causing discomfort and difficulty breathing. We understand that this can be a tough topic, so this guide offers insights into the causes, symptoms, and the latest treatment options, with the hope that it can provide some clarity and support. Please note: This content may be upsetting to some readers, and we want to acknowledge the emotional weight it may carry. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gBZu9QtA #PancreaticCancer #CancerResearch #Complications

Ever seen those handmade knitted mittens and caps in Newfoundland chemo units? Bright colors, all sizes, and made with love. But have you ever stopped to think about why they’re there? 📝 New Article Alert 🚨: Understanding Neuropathy in Pancreatic Cancer It’s because neuropathy—tingling, numbness, even sharp pain in your hands and feet—is something many people living with pancreatic cancer face during treatment. It’s not talked about enough, but it can change everything—from how you move to how you feel. In this article, we get real about: • What causes neuropathy and how to recognize it • Ways to cope when it starts to affect your life • How it can impact treatment decisions • The latest research offering hope 🎥 Plus, we’ve got some expert videos to help you spot early signs and take action before it gets worse. If you’ve ever felt like no one really explains what’s happening or how to deal with it, this one’s for you. Read it now: https://lnkd.in/dAPcUb_5 #PancreaticCancer #NeuropathySupport #CancerCare #YouAreNotAlone #Newfoundland #Labrador #Healthcare

As we reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025, we are reminded of the incredible strength and love that inspired this foundation. This year, Christopher shared more about Heather, her remarkable spirit, and the family life she created—a life filled with love, laughter, and memories that shaped who we are today. Heather had a gift for making every moment special. Snowstorms became cozy evenings by the fire, with the radio playing softly, family talks, and board games. Summers meant camping in Terra Nova, rainy days playing cards, and “boil-ups” in the woods or on the beach. Every day with Heather was rich with love and connection, and her determination to give her family the world. It’s those moments—those years with Heather—that we’ll always miss. They remind us of what really matters: time with the people we love. That time is what pancreatic cancer takes away too soon, and it’s what we are determined to give families more of. This past year, we’ve made strides toward that goal: ✨ New resources added to HeatherCutler.ca to empower families navigating pancreatic cancer. ✨ Growing conversations about the importance of somatic testing and equitable access to clinical trials. ✨ Powerful advocacy that reached policymakers and challenged the status quo. And with your support, we’ve reached 900 signatures on our Change.org petition and are nearing 200 signatures on our e-petition at the House of Commons. Every signature is a step closer to a future where families have more time together—more summers, more cozy nights, more moments that matter. 👉 Help us make a difference—sign the petition today: https://lnkd.in/dEHjqkCv As we move into 2025, we remain committed to: ✔️ Advocating for better healthcare access and equity for all Canadians. ✔️ Providing families with resources and support to navigate a diagnosis with clarity. ✔️ Fighting for systemic changes that improve outcomes and give hope to people living with pancreatic cancer. Thank you for standing with us in this fight. Together, we can honor Heather’s legacy and ensure more families have the time they deserve. Wishing you and your loved ones a new year filled with love, connection, and memories that last a lifetime. With gratitude, The Heather Cutler Foundation Team #NewYear2025 #TimeMatters #PancreaticCancerAdvocacy #TogetherForChange

🧐 Examining Healthcare Services and Clinical Trial Access: Transparency Matters At The Heather Cutler Foundation, we’re committed to advocating for equity and transparency in pancreatic cancer care. As part of this commitment, we’re launching “Transparency in Cancer Care”—an investigative initiative to help families simplify their decision-making and better understand their options. Many healthcare consulting agencies claim to bridge gaps in Canada’s system for accessing clinical trials, precision oncology, and advanced treatments. They often promote services such as: • Precision Oncology: Genetic or molecular profiling to guide treatments. • Access to Advanced Medications: Linking patients to clinical trials. • Advocacy & Care Coordination: Guiding families through complex trial processes. • Expert Second Opinions: Opinions from top specialists globally. • World-Class Lab Testing: Advanced biomarker and genetic testing. While these offerings may sound promising, many organizations operate as for-profit entities, capitalizing on the barriers in Canada’s system. Their fees can place these options out of reach for many, further entrenching inequities in care. A key focus of their services is molecular profiling or somatic testing, such as FoundationOne, which offers rapid results but can cost thousands of dollars. Free alternatives, like PanCAN’s Know Your Tumor Program or Canadian-funded programs (when available), provide similar insights, though they are often underutilized due to lack of awareness. Our initiative aims to answer critical questions: • What do these agencies offer? • What do they charge? • Are there free or lower-cost alternatives? • Do they genuinely help patients or profit from systemic gaps? What’s Next Over the next month, we’ll release a detailed list of providers, breaking down their services, costs, and accessibility. Our goal is to create an unbiased resource for Canadians living with pancreatic cancer, ensuring families can make informed, uncomplicated decisions. Together, we can work toward a system where transparency in care is the norm, not the exception. Stay tuned for more updates! #TransparencyInCare #PancreaticCancerSupport #ClinicalTrialsAccess #UncomplicatedCare

A Special Christmas Collection 🎄This Christmas, we’re incredibly proud to release “Heather’s Holidays”, a collection of Christmas songs recorded by Christopher in his teenage years of Heather singing some of her most cherished holiday hits with her unforgettable sense of humour. After some restoration work, the full album will be available on streaming platforms starting December 25, 2024. This holiday season feels different for our family, as we celebrate without Heather by our side. We know many families also face challenges during a time that’s meant to be festive and joyful. For those navigating loss, we see you, and we’re with you. As we close out the year, we’ll be winding down to allow ourselves and our team time to enjoy the season with loved ones. We’ll be back in 2025 with new resolutions, content, and advocacy to support everyone in this community. While we’ll be taking a break, someone will always be keeping an eye on our social media accounts, so feel free to reach out if needed—just expect a slight delay in our responses. From our family to yours, we wish you a warm and peaceful holiday season. Let’s hold our loved ones close, cherish the memories, and embrace hope for the year ahead. Happy Holidays, The Heather Cutler Foundation Team #pancreaticcancer #canada #canada #happyholidays #happyholi2024 #merrychristmas #Christmas

This week, Cutler released a video, highlighting the challenges faced by Canadians impacted by pancreatic cancer. We spoke about its purpose: raising awareness of systemic gaps in care, equitable access to clinical trials, and the need for government action. The video supports Canada’s first e-petition on pancreatic cancer, which requires 500 signatures by March 3, 2025, to prompt a government response. Watch the video and learn more about how you can support this initiative. #PancreaticCancer #Advocacy #Healthcare #Canada

✨ 100 Canadians have added their names to petition e-5186, standing with us to demand better care for Canadians living with pancreatic cancer. This milestone isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about what those signatures represent: a growing call for equity, accountability, and the urgency to modernize cancer care in Canada. 100 signatures on Our Commons is much more of an accomplishment than 900 on Change. 💔 Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with a five-year survival rate stagnant at just 10%. For too long, access to clinical trials and life-changing treatments has been limited to a handful of provinces, leaving the rest of the country underserved. Canadians outside of urban areas are being told to move or face the consequences of inaction. 📋 This petition is a FIRST for pancreatic cancer in Canada and is a rallying cry to the federal government: • 🧬 National guidelines for genetic and somatic testing so no patient is overlooked. • 🌍 Equitable access to clinical trials with financial support for travel and accommodations. • ⏳ Transparent timelines for approving treatments like Onivyde. • 🏥 Real investments in decentralizing trials, making care accessible to all Canadians. Behind every signature is a story—a family from New Brunswick that’s fought tooth and nail for care, a mother in Newfoundland navigating impossible barriers, or an advocate who knows this system must do better. This milestone belongs to everyone who refuses to accept that geography or income should determine outcomes. 🙏 To those who’ve signed: Thank you for standing with us. 💜 To those who haven’t yet: now is the time to add your voice. 📣 Visit https://lnkd.in/dvA9Yrnv to sign petition e-5186 and join the growing call to make pancreatic cancer care a national priority. This is just the first step, and everything starts with a first step. But together, we’re proving that momentum can grow, voices can amplify, and real change is possible. #PancreaticCancerAwareness #PetitionE5186 #HeatherCutlerFoundation #NoOneLeftBehind #DemandBetter

We’re at 86 signatures, and we’re just getting started! If you haven’t signed yet, please take a moment to head over to OurCommons and make your voice heard. Please Let your friends and family know their signature would mean the world to us and so many Canadian families. 📣 Sign here to make a difference: https://lnkd.in/dvA9Yrnv This petition advocates for critical improvements in pancreatic cancer care, including: • National Testing Guidelines: Standardized protocols for genetic and somatic testing. • Clinical Trial Accessibility: Reduced travel and lodging costs for equitable access. • Expedited Drug Approvals: Clear timelines and transparency for advanced treatments like Onivyde. • Decentralized Clinical Trials: Modernization to reach remote and underserved regions. Your signature pushes for meaningful legislative action. Let’s transform pancreatic cancer care in Canada. Thank you for your support! #PancreaticCancerAwareness #PetitionE5186 #HeatherCutlerFoundation #PancreaticCancer #canada