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- Posted Monday November 3, 2014
America's largest mattress retailer commits $1 million to TGen, kicking off National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Mattress Firm stores across U.S. raising funds for one of most deadly, yet under-funded diseases
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Nov. 3, 2014 - Throughout
November, the largest U.S. retailer of mattresses, Mattress Firm,
hopes to raise visibility around the nation's fourth leading cause
of cancer death as it recognizes National Pancreatic Cancer
Awareness Month and makes a commitment to raise $1 million through
the Mattress Firm Foundation.
These funds will directly impact research at the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen) towards earlier detection
and treatment of the disease.
"As a national company with a footprint of more than 1,700 stores,
we at Mattress Firm hope to help raise awareness of this deadly and
complex disease," said Steve Stagner, president and CEO of Mattress
Firm. "Many of our team members have been personally touched by the
disease and lost loved ones, and we dream it's possible to extend
the lives of our friends and loved ones through our funding and
awareness-building programs. It used to be that only four percent
of people with pancreatic cancer would live to survive another
birthday. Now, thanks to clinical trials, 40 percent are living to
see another year."
Mattress Firm is partnering in the fight against pancreatic cancer
with Phoenix, Ariz.-based TGen, a non-profit biomedical research
organization that focuses on developing earlier diagnostics and
treatments of diseases, including pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer, which kills nearly 40,000 U.S. residents each
year, is frequently referred to as a "silent killer" because it is
challenging to detect at early stages, and when found, is difficult
to treat. The $1 million commitment from the Mattress Firm
Foundation will directly fund a research study on new imaging
methods that may allow for earlier and more accurate detection of
pancreatic cancer, before it spreads to other organs.
"This extraordinary gift demonstrates the leadership that Mattress
Firm has brought to the battle against pancreatic cancer," said
TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff. "The contributions by
Mattress Firm staff and customers will be put to work immediately
to help bring new answers to patients as soon as possible."
Mattress Firm began its partnership with TGen in 2011 to help fund
the institute's aggressive search for the cure for pancreatic
cancer. TGen's Distinguished Professor and Physician-In-Chief Dr.
Daniel Von Hoff, considered one of the world's leading experts on
pancreatic cancer, has been instrumental in improving the survival
rate for patients diagnosed with the disease.
"Round Up" for Pancreatic Cancer in
November
This month, Mattress Firm is asking its customers to donate to the
cause through a "Round Up" for pancreatic cancer fundraiser at
point of purchase. By rounding a purchase up to the nearest dollar,
ten dollars or even hundred dollars, each sale will directly
benefit the Mattress Firm Foundation's support of TGen's clinical
trials and early detection.
"For every $1 million raised, we can fund an additional clinical
trial," said Stagner. "Each trial brings us closer to finding a
cure. Together, we can dream it's possible to make this a reality
in our lifetime."
Mattress Firm stores across the country will also participate in
local runs/walks and other fundraising events in their communities.
Last year, more than 1,000 stores and 2,000 employees participated
in local events in November alone.
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About Mattress Firm
With nearly 2,000 company-operated and franchised stores across 36
states, Mattress Firm (NASDAQ:MFRM) has the largest geographic
footprint in the United States among multi-brand mattress
retailers. Founded in 1986, Houston-based Mattress Firm is the
nation's leading bedding retailer with more than $1.2 billion in
sales for 2013. The company offers a broad selection of both
traditional and specialty mattresses, bedding accessories and other
related products from leading manufacturers, including Sealy,
Tempur-Pedic, Serta, Simmons, Stearns & Foster, Hampton &
Rhodes and Atmos. Mattress Firm guarantees price, comfort and
service with the ultimate goal of ensuring customers Save Money.
Sleep Happy™. Mattress Firm was named Furniture Today's "Top
Bedding Retailer" in 2013 and a "Top Workplace" by the Houston
Chronicle in 2011, 2012 and 2013. More information is available at
mattressfirm.com, or on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through 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]
