Shapiro marks August as Appendix Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro recognized August as Appendix Cancer Awareness Month as ACPMP expanded its Light Up Amber campaign and landmarks across the state turned amber. The effort aims to raise awareness of a rare cancer that is often diagnosed late and to support research, patient education and specialist care.

Why it matters: - Appendix cancer affects about two to nine people per million each year, making it rare and difficult for many patients to recognize early. - Late diagnosis can delay treatment and make it harder for patients to find specialists familiar with the disease. - ACPMP says the awareness push is meant to improve early detection, support patients and families, and help fund research toward better treatments and a cure.

What happened: - Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a statement recognizing August as Appendix Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. - The recognition aligns with ACPMP’s annual awareness campaign, Light Up Amber. - Landmarks in Pennsylvania and around the world are lighting amber for the campaign. - Pennsylvania is home to ACPMP, the Appendix Cancer PMP Research Foundation, and the site of the group’s first walk in honor of Frank "Dutch" Culbertson.

The details: - Amber is the awareness color for appendix cancer and pseudomyxoma peritonei, or PMP. - A dozen states now proclaim August as Appendix Cancer Awareness Month. - Gov. Shapiro’s statement describes appendix cancer as a rare and under-researched disease that can be curable when caught early but dangerous when it goes unnoticed. - The statement also thanks medical professionals, advocates and organizations working to improve care and search for a cure. - Judy Culbertson held the first "Make a Difference for Dutch" walk in 2007 after her husband died from appendix cancer. - ACPMP formed in 2008 to fund research and education for the disease. - The 2026 walk marked its 20th anniversary and raised more than $200,000. - ACPMP has awarded more than $2.5 million in research grants since its founding. - The foundation also funds education events throughout the year. - Dr. Patrick Wagner of Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh chairs ACPMP’s Scientific Advisory Board. - ACPMP has launched a patient registry that the foundation hopes will help collect global data. - Dr. Haroon Choudry of UPMC received an ACPMP Catalyst Grant. - Dr. Stephanie Greco and her team from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia sponsored and attended this year’s ACPMP walk in Pennsylvania. - The campaign’s statewide lightings include the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Lincoln Financial Field, PECO Crown Lights, the Broad Street Atrium, the Pennsylvania Convention Center and Philadelphia International Airport. - Pittsburgh-area sites joining the effort include the Gulf Tower, the Koppers Building, One Oxford Centre and the Homestead Grays Bridge. - In Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex and the Lieutenant Governor’s Balcony will light amber from August 21 to 23. - Residents can take part by wearing amber, asking local landmarks to light amber, joining the patient registry, sharing #AmberforAppendixCancer, or visiting ACPMP’s August campaign page.

Between the lines: - Pennsylvania’s recognition gives the campaign added visibility in the state where ACPMP is based and where its first walk began. - The coordination between state officials, clinicians and patient advocates reflects a rare-disease model that depends heavily on awareness, referral networks and research funding. - The patient registry and grant program suggest ACPMP is trying to turn awareness into longer-term data collection and treatment development.

What’s next: - More landmarks are expected to remain part of the Light Up Amber campaign through August 20 and nearby dates. - ACPMP is encouraging more residents and institutions to participate in awareness efforts throughout the month. - The foundation will continue pushing for earlier diagnosis, stronger specialist access and more research support for appendix cancer and PMP.

The bottom line: - Pennsylvania’s recognition of Appendix Cancer Awareness Month turns a rare disease campaign into a statewide public-health message, while ACPMP uses amber lightings, grants and patient outreach to widen attention and research.