November 12, 2024
Hartford Hospital is grateful to Dino Verrelli, Founder and CEO of Project Purple, for the organization’s generous $750,000 gift toward the Project Purple Pancreatic Cancer Fund. This investment will establish a system-wide High-Risk Pancreatic Cancer Program (HRPCP) to support the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute’s work in promoting early detection, treatment, education, and outreach around pancreatic cancer across Connecticut.
“Project Purple is excited to partner with Hartford HealthCare for its early detection screening and surveillance of high-risk patients for pancreatic cancer,” said Verrelli. “As we have seen in other parts of the country with similar programs that we have supported, finding pancreatic cancer early is key to giving patients a better chance at survival. This partnership in our home state is very special to us. We are excited to support our local community and our greater goal of a world without pancreatic cancer.”
“We could not be more pleased to partner with Project Purple, which has become a national leader in pancreatic cancer research and philanthropy,” stated Bret Schipper, MD, FACS, CPE, Vice President, Hartford HealthCare, Co-Physician in Chief of the Digestive Health Institute, and Chief of Surgical Oncology for Hartford Hospital and Central Region. “The organization’s commitment to finding a cure and providing patients with financial assistance and cutting-edge treatments completely aligns with our mission.”
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the 11th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. and a 2020 study found Connecticut had the country’s third highest age-adjusted incidences of PDAC—behind only Louisiana and New York.
Pictured Above: Bret Schipper, MD, FACS, CPE, Chief of Surgical Oncology for the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at Hartford Hospital; Jeffrey A. Flaks, President & CEO of Hartford HealthCare; Dino Verrelli, Founder and CEO of Project Purple; Lynn B. Rossini, Vice President of Philanthropy, Hartford Hospital; Lindsay Bliss, MD, MPH, Surgical Oncologist; Jessica Joyce, Associate Director of Institutional Giving, Hartford Hospital.
“One of the greatest challenges in treating pancreatic cancer is that most patients are diagnosed very late in the disease,” says Dr. Schipper. “With Project Purple’s investment, Hartford HealthCare will create a much-needed high-risk screening program to identify patients with a genetic predisposition to pancreatic cancer. By identifying these patients, regularly screening them, and potentially catching the disease in its early stages, we can provide patients with a better chance at long-term survival. Given the substantial nature of Project Purple’s gift and Hartford HealthCare’s statewide footprint, we plan to create the largest screening program in Connecticut and have a significant impact in the communities we serve.”
“The significance of this generous gift and the impact it will have throughout the state cannot be overstated,” said Lynn B. Rossini, Vice President of Philanthropy. “We are very grateful for Project Purple’s partnership and Dino Verrelli’s leadership as we take this giant step forward for Connecticut healthcare and patients and families confronting pancreatic cancer. The HRPCP is as innovative as it is needed—and Hartford HealthCare is proud to work with Project Purple to advance early detection and improve outcomes.”
Founded by Verrelli in 2010, Project Purple is a Connecticut-based non-profit organization that raises awareness of pancreatic cancer, supports patients and their families, and funds research efforts to improve patient outcomes and ultimately defeat pancreatic cancer. You can learn more about Project Purple by visiting their website at projectpurple.org.
If you, your family, or your organization is interested in exploring ways to support Hartford Hospital or Hartford HealthCare, please visit our Ways to Give webpage or contact a member of our Philanthropy Team.
Project Purple’s Story: A Son’s Promise to Defeat Pancreatic Cancer
