TGen News & Press Releases

• Written by Steve Yozwiak /
• Posted Thursday April 1, 2010

TGen scientist named to Phoenix board of Komen for the Cure

Dr. Cunliffe, a TGen breast cancer investigator, starts 1-year term today

PHOENIX, Ariz. - April 1, 2010 - Dr. Heather Cunliffe, a scientific Investigator at the Translational Genomic Research Institute (TGen), will join the board of directors of the Phoenix Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Dr. Cunliffe, the Head of TGen's Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research Unit, begins her initial one-year term today on the 15-member board of the local Komen for the Cure affiliate, one of 125 such affiliates worldwide.

"I am incredibly grateful and humbled by my selection to this outstanding board," Dr. Cunliffe said. "Representing TGen and its efforts to leverage new discoveries in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, I look forward to a challenging and productive term of contributing back to the community as one of the Phoenix Affiliate board members."

Dr. Cunliffe, a recipient of a National Komen Research Grant in 2005, began a close relationship with executive leadership and staff of Komen's Phoenix Affiliate, following her 2004 faculty appointment at TGen.

"I have enjoyed participating in a variety of community outreach events with the local Komen affiliate, including their signature pink ribbon breakfasts, breast health awareness events, such as Channel 12's Buddy Check 12, and of course, the annual Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure," Dr. Cunliffe said.

Komen's Phoenix Affiliate today announced Dr. Cunliffe's appointment along with its other 2010-11 Board of Directors, who provide guidance and leadership to staff and the more than 1,500 local volunteers, working together for a cure for breast cancer. The Phoenix Affiliate serves central and northern Arizona, including Maricopa, Apache, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal and Yavapai counties.

"At the national level, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has invested nearly $450 million in 1,736 research projects aimed at securing our vision of a world without breast cancer. Currently there are over 759 active research projects reflecting a $298 million investment," said Dan Costello, president of the Komen Phoenix board of directors. "Having scientists like Dr. Cunliffe bring these critical research dollars back to the Valley is a significant benefit to our community and a tremendous contribution to the identification and delivery of a cure for breast cancer."

The Phoenix Affiliate's signature fundraising and breast cancer awareness event, the 18th Annual Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure, will take place Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, at the Arizona State Capitol. Online registration is available at www.komenphoenix.org. More than 30,000 participated in the 2009 event.

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About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, it has invested more than $1 billion to fulfill that promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

About the Phoenix Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
The Phoenix Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® - along with those who generously support us with their talent, time and resources - is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in our community. We join more than 100,000 breast cancer survivors and activists around the globe as part of the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Through events like the Susan G. Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure®, we have invested over $13 million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in the nine counties of Central and Northern Arizona, and breast cancer research. Up to 75 percent of all funds generated by Komen Phoenix stay in the local area while the remaining income goes to Komen for the Cure's Grants Program supporting research, awards and educational and scientific programs around the world. Join us by calling 602-544-CURE (2873) or visiting us online at www.komenphoenix.org.

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.

Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]

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