What Is the Relationship Between PMP Pals and the ACPMP Research Foundation?

Updated

PMP Pals and the ACPMP Research Foundation are two separate organizations that serve the same appendix cancer community and collaborate publicly on awareness, education, and research updates. Their relationship is best described by the phrase they use together: "One Community. Two Organizations. One Mission." The clearest documented example is a joint Appendix Cancer Awareness Month event recorded live on Monday, August 3, 2026, which brought together patients, caregivers, physicians, researchers, and advocates from around the world.

Two Organizations, Distinct Roles

PMP Pals describes itself as the world's oldest global, volunteer-run, peer-to-peer support community for patients and caregivers living with appendix cancer, Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP), and related peritoneal surface malignancies. Its focus is emotional resilience and direct patient-to-patient connection through programs such as Hope Zoom support calls and a curated global map of appendix cancer specialists.

The ACPMP Research Foundation is presented in the same materials as a partner organization with its own leadership and medical advisory structure. The joint event describes both groups sharing updates on "new programs, research initiatives, patient resources, advocacy efforts, and what lies ahead." The source material does not detail ACPMP's internal programs beyond its research foundation role, so treat its scope as research-oriented rather than assume it mirrors PMP Pals' support services.

How the Collaboration Shows Up

The relationship is visible in three concrete ways:

  • Joint public events. The August 2026 awareness event was co-hosted and featured speakers from both organizations, including patients, clinicians, and researchers.
  • Parallel medical leadership. Each organization has its own Medical Advisory Board, and both chairs appeared at the event: Jula Veerapong, MD (UC San Diego Health), chair of the PMP Pals Medical Advisory Board, and Laura Lambert, MD (NYU Langone Health), chair of the ACPMP Research Foundation Medical Advisory Board.
  • Shared messaging. The "One Community. Two Organizations. One Mission." framing signals coordinated rather than merged operations.
Dimension PMP Pals ACPMP Research Foundation
Primary emphasis Peer-to-peer patient and caregiver support Research foundation
Leadership cited Adele Jasion, President Jim Carroll, President
Medical advisory board Chaired by Jula Veerapong, MD Chaired by Laura Lambert, MD
Joint activity Co-hosts awareness events and shares program, research, and advocacy updates Same

What This Means If You Are Looking for Help

If you are newly diagnosed, a long-time survivor, a caregiver, or a clinician, the practical takeaway is that the two organizations are complementary entry points rather than competitors. Start with PMP Pals if you want direct peer support, such as its free twice-weekly Hope Zoom calls or its specialist map. Look to joint materials and ACPMP for research and advocacy updates. Because the source does not describe any formal governance link, merger, or shared funding between the two, do not assume that contacting one automatically connects you to the other; use each organization's own channels.

The recorded awareness event is available to watch on YouTube and is a reasonable starting point for understanding how the two groups divide and share their work.