Governor Shapiro issued a statement of recognition as landmarks globally light amber for the Pennsylvania-based nonprofit ACPMP’s annual awareness initiative.
PA, UNITED STATES, August 20, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — SPRINGFIELD, Pa., August 13, 2026 – This August, the home state of the Appendix Cancer PMP Research Foundation is recognizing Appendix Cancer Awareness Month. Governor Josh Shapiro has recognized the month in Pennsylvania, where the foundation is headquartered and where its very first Walk began, named for Frank “Dutch” Culbertson. Today a dozen states have proclaimed August as Appendix Cancer Awareness Month, and landmarks across the country and around the world are lighting amber for a rare and often missed cancer.
Appendix cancer affects only about two to nine people per million each year. Because it is so uncommon, patients often wait a long time for a diagnosis and can struggle to find specialists who know the disease. Amber is the awareness color for appendix cancer and pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP).
Governor Shapiro’s statement of recognition describes appendix cancer as a rare and under-researched disease that can be curable when caught early but dangerous when it goes unnoticed, and it thanks the medical professionals, advocates, and organizations working to improve care and search for a cure.
A Pennsylvania family’s mission and progress
In 2007, Delaware County resident Judy Culbertson held the first “Make a Difference for Dutch” appendix cancer walk, following the death of her husband, Frank “Dutch” Culbertson, from the disease. In 2008, a group of patients and caregivers led by Lisa Kurtz Luciano formed the nonprofit Appendix Cancer PMP Research Foundation (ACPMP) to fund meaningful research and education about the rare disease. Judy and Dutch’s best friend, Jim Carroll, joined as board members. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the walk, which has grown into ACPMP’s flagship fundraiser, a national event that raised over $200,000 in 2026 to fuel the foundation’s robust grant program. Since its founding, ACPMP has awarded over $2.5 million in research grants and funds education events throughout the year.
“Pennsylvania is our home, and it is where our very first Walk began, with families who would not let a cancer this rare go ignored,” said Judy Culbertson, Board Vice President of ACPMP. “To have our home state recognize the month, while a dozen states proclaim it and landmarks around the world light amber, provides hope and tells appendix cancer patients and families facing this disease that they are not alone.”
ACPMP’s Mission is being achieved through specialist and patient collaboration
Pennsylvania is also home to a strong community of specialists who treat appendix cancer and study it, and ACPMP enjoys close relationships with many of them. Dr. Patrick Wagner of Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pa., serves as Chair of ACPMP’s Scientific Advisory Board.
“August has been a very busy month for ACPMP and the appendix cancer community,” said Dr. Wagner of Allegheny Health. “We are grateful to Governor Shapiro for officially recognizing August as Appendix Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania, an important public health intervention aimed at improving early detection rates for this under-recognized cancer that is affecting American patients at increasing rates. This trend is also highlighted by ACPMP’s launch of a Patient Registry, which we hope will address the need for global data collection and provide opportunities for ACPMP’s Scientific Advisory Board to integrate this new resource with its expanding research funding opportunities. Congratulations are also in order to our friend and neighbor, Dr. Haroon Choudry at UPMC, for receiving a well-deserved ACPMP Catalyst Grant award, recognizing his career-long dedication to developing innovative treatment strategies for peritoneal cancers”.
ACPMP is proud to announce Dr. Haroon Choudry of the University of Pittsburgh as the newest recipient of an ACPMP Catalyst Grant, one of the researchers the foundation supports in the search for better treatments and a cure.
Dr. Stephanie Greco and her team from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia sponsored and attended this year’s ACPMP Walk in Pennsylvania, speaking with and supporting patients and caregivers.
“Appendix cancer is rare enough that many patients see several doctors before they get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan,” said Dr. Stephanie Greco of Fox Chase Cancer Center. “Awareness helps patients reach the right specialists sooner, and here in Pennsylvania we can offer that care.”
Light Up Amber across Pennsylvania
This year Pennsylvania is going amber from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to Harrisburg, with many of the state’s most recognizable landmarks joining the national August 20 lighting night.
In Philadelphia, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, light amber on August 20, and the PECO Crown Lights shine amber on August 6, 13, and 20. The Broad Street Atrium, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and Philadelphia International Airport are also taking part.
In the Pittsburgh area, the Gulf Tower, the Koppers Building, and One Oxford Centre light amber on August 20, joined by the Homestead Grays Bridge.
In Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex and the Lieutenant Governor’s Balcony light amber from August 21 to 23, marking the month at the seat of state government.
Pennsylvania’s recognition and lightings are part of a broader national and international effort, with governors in a dozen states recognizing the month and landmarks across the country and around the world going amber on August 20 as part of ACPMP’s Light Up Amber campaign.
How to take part
Pennsylvania residents can wear amber during August, ask a local landmark to light amber, join the ACPMP patient registry, share the campaign with #AmberforAppendixCancer, or learn more at acpmp.org/August.
About the Appendix Cancer PMP Research Foundation
The Appendix Cancer PMP Research Foundation (ACPMP) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN 26-2890160) founded in 2008 by a community of people affected by appendix cancer, pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), and related peritoneal surface malignancies. ACPMP funds research to find better treatments and a cure, and supports education for health care professionals, patients, and families. Learn more at acpmp.org.
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Dana Jackson Cohen
ACPMP
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