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- Posted Friday September 1, 2017
Colleen’s Dream Foundation commemorates National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month with events benefitting TGen
Fundraising proceeds will fund innovating ovarian cancer treatment research
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. - Sept. 1, 2017 - September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and Scottsdale-based Colleen's Dream Foundation is partnering with local organizations on numerous fundraising programs. All funds raised in September will be granted to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) to fund research that builds on TGen's discovery that mutations in a gene known as SMARCA4 drive a specific type of extremely aggressive ovarian cancer that most often affects girls and young women.
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer and is projected to take the lives of 14,080 women in 2017. Of all women diagnosed, 25 percent will die in the first year. Colleen's Dream is dedicated to funding research that leads to an early detection test for ovarian cancer, as such a test does not exist.
"A reliable early-detection test for ovarian cancer would effectively save the lives of thousands of women every year," said Nicole Cundiff, CEO of Colleen's Dream Foundation. "We believe in TGen researchers and the cutting-edge work they've done in recent years. We're honored to partner with such an esteemed research organization, especially one in our own backyard."
TGen is a nonprofit biomedical research institute, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Arizona. The institute specializes in using a patient's unique genetic blueprint to discover the causes of and develop smarter treatments for complex conditions like cancer, neurological disorders and infectious diseases.
"The support of Colleen's Dream has been critical for helping TGen push the frontiers of precision medicine in our quest to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. Their support has specifically accelerated our program focused on identification of new treatments matched to genetic mutations which we at TGen have discovered to commonly occur in ovarian cancers," said Dr. Will Hendricks, an Assistant Professor in TGen's Integrated Cancer Genomics Division.
Colleen's Dream will launch two new programs this year: Shop for the Dream and Dine for the Dream. A weekend-long initiative, Shop for the Dream will take place on Saturday, Sept. 30, and on Sunday, Oct. 1, with participating retailers at Scottsdale Fashion Square donating a percentage of proceeds to Colleen's Dream.
New neighborhood sushi restaurant, Kaiyo Sushi + Bar, in Scottsdale is partnering with Colleen's Dream for Dine for the Dream. For every order purchased of the specially created "Colleen's Roll," $1 will be donated to the ovarian cancer foundation. As an added bonus, the roll will live permanently on the menu, and the donations will continue indefinitely beyond September.
Additionally, Kaiyo Sushi will host a Duel of the Kitchens, a six-course battle between Head Sushi Chef Todd Register and Head Chef Jason McGrath on Sept. 7 from 7-9 p.m. A seat at the table costs $100 with 25 percent of the proceeds being donated to Colleen's Dream.
Listed below are all of Colleen's Dream fundraising events and awareness initiatives during the month of September:
• Sept. 1 - Talking Stick Resort will light up teal for ovarian cancer awareness all day and night.
• Sept. 6 or 8 - Nicole's daughter Chloe Cundiff will hold a lemonade stand in the lobby of TGen's headquarters in Phoenix.
• Sept. 7 - Duel of the Kitchens at Kaiyo Sushi + Bar in Scottsdale. Head Chef Jason McGrath battles Head Sushi Chef Todd Register in a six-course battle for the taste buds. Courses will be paired with sake, Japanese whiskey and other hand crafted cocktails.
• Every Sunday in September, Nicole's daughter Chloe Cundiff will hold a lemonade stand at The Henry in Phoenix from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., benefitting Colleen's Dream Foundation.
• Sept. 1-30 - Online jeweler, Silver & Sage, is selling Colleen's Dream branded bracelets for $48, and all proceeds will be donated to the foundation.
• Sept. 1-30 - Dine for the Dream at Kaiyo Sushi + Bar. With every Colleen's Roll ordered, $1 will be donated to Colleen's Dream.
• Sept. 1-30 - Spa for the Dream at Hotel Valley Ho, Luminosa Beauty Bar, Amazing Lash Studio, Spa Lamar and The Sparkle Bar. Each location will donate a percentage of proceeds from a specific service or product. Visit colleensdream.org/events for more details.
• Sept. 29-Oct. 1 - Shop for the Dream at Scottsdale Fashion Square and participating retailers will donate a portion of proceeds to Colleen's Dream.
Colleen's Dream was created in honor of Nicole's mother, Colleen, who lost a five-year battle with ovarian cancer in 2013. Before her passing, Colleen served on the board of directors to the foundation, which has since granted more than $600,000 to ovarian cancer researchers.
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About Colleen's Dream Foundation
Colleen's Dream is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2012 by Nicole Cundiff and her husband, Billy, a 12-year veteran kicker in the NFL. Colleen's Dream is dedicated to funding investigational scientific research with the primary goal of developing and establishing an accurate and accessible early detection test for ovarian cancer. For more information about Colleen's Dream Foundation, or to donate call 480-269-2266 or visit www.colleensdream.org.
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 neurological disorders, cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases, 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. TGen is allied with City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and cancer and diabetes treatment center: www.cityofhope.org. This precision medicine alliance enables both institutes to complement each other in research and patient care, with City of Hope providing a significant clinical setting to advance scientific discoveries made by TGen. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org. Follow TGen on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @TGen.
Media Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
