TGen News & Press Releases

• Written by Steve Yozwiak /
• Posted Wednesday September 16, 2009

TGen plans StepNOut fundraiser for pancreatic cancer research

Organizers and 12 News sponsors hope to raise $100,000 at run-walk-dash

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Sept. 16, 2009 - Volunteers organizing TGen's 4th annual StepNOut for Pancreatic Cancer Research hope to raise $100,000 to help advance studies into this most lethal of all cancers.

Mark Curtis, co-anchor for 12 News, will again be the honorary chair and master of ceremonies at this year's event, a combination run, walk and dash Nov. 1 at Tempe's Kiwanis Community Park.

Contributions will help fund the non-profit Translational Genomics Research Institute's pancreatic cancer research, headed by world-renowned expert Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, TGen's Physician-in-Chief and Director of TGen's Clinical Translational Research Division.

Dr. Von Hoff and Dr. Craig B. Thompson, Director of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, are co-leaders of the national Stand Up to Cancer pancreatic cancer "Dream Team." They are leading a three-year investigation into new approaches to treating pancreatic cancer, the most lethal of all cancers and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2009 pancreatic cancer will kill more than 35,000 of the 42,000 Americans annually diagnosed with this disease. More than 75 percent of patients die within the first year of diagnosis.

KPNX-TV (Channel 12) is the media sponsor of the event, organized by TGen's National Pancreatic Cancer Committee in coordination with the TGen Foundation.

More than 1,000 people are expected to participate in a 5K run/walk, a 1-mile fun run, and a kid's dash for small children. The event will include a silent auction with items that would make great holiday gifts. Last year's event raised more than $88,000.

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What: The Translational Genomics Research Institute's 4th annual StepNOut for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

Where: The south end of Tempe's Kiwanis Community Park. Enter off Guadalupe Road at All American Way, between Rural and Kyrene roads.

When: 8-11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Registration is at 8 a.m.; races start at 9 a.m.

Cost: Ages 13 and up, pre-registration by Oct. 21 is $25, and $30 after; ages 5-12, $5 pre-registration by Oct. 21, and $10 after; and ages 0-4, free.

Pre-registration: Visit www.helptgen.org or call 602-343-8470 to register in advance, donate or create your own run/walk/dash personal fundraising page. Why: Organizers hope to raise more than $100,000 for TGen's pancreatic cancer research.

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About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-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. TGen is affiliated with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.

Media Contacts:

Erin Massey
Director of Development, TGen Foundation
602-343-8470
[email protected]

Roseanna Robinson Norman
StepNOut Chair
602-300-7321
[email protected]