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.

# # #

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.

*

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]


Media Contact



RSS Feed

Newsletter