Tea for Teal event raises $15,000 for TGen ovarian cancer
research
PHOENIX, Ariz. - April 20, 2010 - The Anne Rita Monahan Foundation
recently presented $15,000 for ovarian cancer research to the
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
That amount brings to $50,000 the total amount raised by the
organization named for Anne Rita Monahan, a Phoenix woman who used
her initials to encourage women to "ARM yourself against ovarian
cancer."
Funds were raised at the 2nd annual Tea for TEAL, the color
associated with ovarian cancer. The English-style tea for 160
people was held Feb. 2 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, the
first time the event was held after Monahan lost her battle to
ovarian cancer in May. She was 47.
"I still felt her presence there," said Richard Corley, Treasurer
of the ARM Foundation and a life-long friend of Monahan. "It was
very sad for her not to grace the event. She had such a
personality. Everyone would have wanted to hear what she had to
say."
Monahan started her foundation in 2007, six years after she was
diagnosed with ovarian cancer, with the mission to eradicate this
disease. Her foundation has continued her efforts to make woman
aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, to encourage
early detection, minimize misdiagnosis and fund research into
developing evidence-based rationales for precision therapy and a
reliable screening test.
A 3rd annual Tea for TEAL is planned next spring, perhaps closer to
Mother's Day, said Rachel Busch, President of the ARM Foundation.
"I'd like to see us continue with Anne's dream."
That includes eventually reaching Monahan's fundraising goal of
$100,000 for TGen's ovarian cancer research.
Dr. Heather Cunliffe, Head of TGen's Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Research Unit, said the ARM Foundation has enabled TGen to work
with two hospitals - with two additional sites approved for launch
shortly - to consent ovarian cancer patients to donate excess
tissues to facilitate TGen's research effort.
"We have Anne's photos all over our lab," Dr. Cunliffe said. "She
is really an inspiration, and her personal story empowers us to
find a solution as fast as possible. Anne's determination and
passion to eradicate ovarian cancer intensifies our efforts."
TGen launched a prospective biospecimen acquisition protocol in
June 2009 with the aim of collecting 100 ovarian tumors for
research. Biospecimens are preserved following strict procedures
designed by Dr. Cunliffe's lab to facilitate state-of-the-art
genomic characterization of ovarian cancer. Outcomes anticipated
include advanced diagnostic and predictive measures to guide
optimal treatment decisions.
"This is a highly heterogeneous and complex disease," Dr. Cunliffe
said. "The technology we have available today is ideally suited to
solving the severe problem of drug-resistant ovarian cancer. A
significant additional benefit will be identification of more
robust diagnostic biomarkers for the earlier detection of disease
onset".
"Anne would be so proud of that," Corley said. "Thirteen women
fighting ovarian cancer today are allowing TGen to make discoveries
that will benefit women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer - all
because of the work that she started."
Michael Bassoff, President of the TGen Foundation, said funds from
the ARM Foundation are making a significant difference in advancing
research into ovarian cancer. "We are honored to be carrying on the
work inspired by Anne Rita Monahan. Her legacy will be earlier
diagnostics and smarter treatments for patients with this
devastating disease."
Monahan was an honors graduate of Boston College in Business
Administration, earned a Masters of Business Administration at
Arizona State University, and retired as a small-business counselor
with Maricopa County.
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About the Anne Rita Monahan Foundation
The Anne Rita Monahan Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3)
organization, which was established on Sept. 1, 2007. The
Foundation's aim is to create awareness of the signs and symptoms
of ovarian cancer in order to encourage early detection and
decrease cases of misdiagnosis. In addition, the Foundation raises
funds to aid in finding a reliable screening test for this disease.
With the mission to eradicate ovarian cancer, the Foundation
continues to promote awareness and early detection. For more
information on the ARM Foundation, or for information about
volunteering or contributing to this important cause, please visit
www.anneritamonahan.org or call 602-264-5539.
About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a
Phoenix-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. For more
information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
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