Morrow Pancreatic Health Foundation, Inc.

The Morrow Pancreatic Health Foundation (MPHF) provides awareness, resource, support and hope for those suffering from pancreatitis and other pancreas-related illnesses through advocating for new and better testing and therapies, and providing support and education for patients, caregivers and health care professionals.
 
Because the pancreas isn’t seen or felt in our everyday lives, most people do not know as much about the pancreas as they do about other parts of the body.

 Pancreas-related illnesses include:

-   Pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas: This happens when digestive enzymes start digesting the pancreas itself;

-  Cystic Fibrosis of the the Pancreas: A genetic disorder in which thick, sticky mucus blocks the tubes in ones pancreas.

-  Pancreatic Cancer

-  Type 1 Diabetes: The beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body’s immune system has attacked them.

Type 2 Diabetes:  The pancreas loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals.

Pancreas Inflammation Causes Include:

-  Alcoholism
-  Cigarette Smoking

-  Certain medications
-  Gallstones and certain gallstone treatments

-  Abdominal injury or surgery

-  Cystic fibrosis

-  High calcium or triglyceride levels

-  A family history of pancreatitis

Health Disparities:

Research has shown that Blacks are 50-90% more likely to contract pancreas-related illnesses. Many times this is due to lifestyle, risky behaviors, belief in health myths, stress, poverty, environment stressors, and a tendency to “self-medicate” with excess alcohol, drugs and “rich & fatty” comfort foods.

We must treat what we know:

While causes and preventative practices as of yet have not been fully developed, it is asserted that taking better “care” of the pancreas can lead, not only to a reduced risk of pancreas-related illness, it could lead to a more healthy and vibrant lifestyles.