About Colleen’s Dream

Colleen’s Dream Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to funding investigational scientific research with the primary goal of developing an accurate early detection test for ovarian cancer. Currently, no such test exists, making ovarian cancer the deadliest of all gynecological cancers. Colleen’s Dream was founded in 2012 by Nicole Cundiff and her husband, Billy, a 12-year veteran kicker in the NFL. In the short time Colleen’s Dream has been operational, it has garnered unfathomable support and has quickly become the largest, privately funded, ovarian cancer specific nonprofit in the state of Arizona.

Colleen Drury and her family

The story of Colleen’s Dream started in 2007 when Colleen was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer. Our eyes were opened to a new world that was filled with invasive surgery, harsh chemotherapy, and lots of uncertainty. Ovarian cancer is often referred to as “the silent killer” because many women do not discover their disease until it is in the late stages, which leads to many women succumbing to the disease within a short period of time.

Unlike cervical or breast cancer, ovarian cancer does not have a standardized early detection procedure. When it comes to women’s health, ovarian cancer proves to be one of the deadliest diseases.

At Colleen’s Dream Foundation, we feel it is important to raise money for research that will lead to reliable early detection testing and improved treatment for ovarian cancer. Because so little is known about ovarian cancer in proportion to other women’s health issues, we have an incredible opportunity for research and education.

We are working with some of the top research hospitals and universities that are researching ovarian cancer.  Offering seed funding to young investigators, we fund cutting-edge research by some of the brightest, young minds in the world.

ResearchPartners Mapmap numbersJoin us in achieving the dream.

Our Vision

We want to get the conversation started about ovarian cancer earlier and by more people. Normally, ovarian cancer is known only by those who are directly affected by the disease. We see a future where the ovarian cancer survival rates could increase dramatically with an increase in funding and education. An increase in funding and education could ultimately save thousands of lives each year.

The reality is sad, but the future is bright.

If we learned anything from breast cancer survival rates over the last twenty years, funding and education have increased survival rates dramatically.  Our goal is to achieve the same dramatic results with ovarian cancer.

Our Mission

  • To measure our success in two ways: money raised and lives touched. Never letting money ever take precedence over life, but knowing that more money raised will lead to more lives saved.
  • To fund scientific research that leads to the establishment of comprehensive and accurate early detection testing. Partnering with top gynecological oncologists and research-based hospitals in the United States allows us to set clear and measurable guidelines for our grant writing process which will encourage new ideas by young investigators.
  • To bring attention to the signs and symptoms of this deadly disease.  Even though the signs and symptoms are vague, research has shown that they are consistently present for women with ovarian cancer.  The first step is getting the conversation started.
  • To live in a country where Ovarian Cancer is diagnosed earlier, more often, allowing more women to survive.
  • To build a foundation that is bigger than any of its members.

Our TeaM

 

  • Colleen Drury

    Colleen Drury
    Board Member Emeritus
    Colleen was a daughter, sister, mother, friend, and by trade a legal nurse consultant. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007 and had first-hand experience with the needs of diagnosed women over her 5+ year battle with this awful disease. She served on the board of Easter Seals of Arizona and was actively involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in its early days. The inspiration for the foundation and an original board member. Colleen will always be missed!

  • A woman in a black shirt smiling for the camera.

    Nicole Cundiff
    CEO, Board of Directors
    Nicole is a proud wife and busy mom to three awesome kids. She the eldest of Colleen’s four daughters and co-founded Colleen’s Dream with her husband, Billy. Nicole is a former attorney who enjoys giving back by being actively involved with many different causes in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. In her free time, she loves working out, visiting farmers markets, online shopping, traveling, eating out and listening to live music.

  • A man in a pink shirt smiling in front of a window.

    William (Billy) Cundiff
    Board Chair, Board of Directors
    Billy is a former Pro Bowl/All Pro football player in the National Football League.   A life long learner, he attended Drake University and has completed his MRED and MBA at ASU, as well as the NFL Business Management & Entrepreneur Program at Harvard Business School.  Billy is on the advisory boards for the International Book Project and Character Counts of Iowa.

  • A man in a suit standing in front of a window.

    Jeff Seaman
    Board of Directors
    Jeff is a real estate broker with CBRE, Inc. in Phoenix, AZ with a specialization in multi-family transactions. Jeff currently sits on the advisory committee for Phoenix Urban Young Life and is an active member of Executive Council 70 and its grant program Executive Council Charities.

  • A blonde woman, Colleen's Dream, smiling in front of a white background.

    Michelle Batschelet
    Board of Directors
    Michelle is a full-time mom and wife, part-time residential real estate agent, and former attorney.  She is the third of Colleen’s four daughters.  She enjoys an active lifestyle, and loves the outdoors, travel and adventure, especially when she can share it with her family.

  • A woman in a black dress smiling for the camera.

    Erica Anderson
    Board of Directors
    Erica is an Account Director for Shutterfly,Inc. in addition to being a full-time wife and mom to two amazing boys. Erica is also on the board for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society and also gives back to many other causes across the valley. When she isn’t working or giving back charitably you can find her working out, traveling or being the biggest cheerleader on the sidelines for the many sports her boys play.

  • A man in a suit and tie smiles for the camera.

    Chris Morrison is a real estate broker and co-founder of Launch Real Estate in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is an entrepreneur at heart, always looking to develop new and effective businesses in the marketplace. He takes special interest in remodeling houses with his wife, Kelley and enjoys quality time with his two kids, Avery and Warner.

  • A smiling woman in a polka dot top.

    Somer is an Arizona native with more than a decade of experience growing the Arizona territory for national beauty brands such as Bumble and bumble and UNITE.  When Somer is not out with clients and assisting retailers in their growth strategies, she is spending time with her husband and young daughter, Elle.  Somer enjoys entertaining for friends and family whether it be private dinners, birthday parties or cocktail hours.  She has a passion for entertaining and creating experiences for others.

  • Guidestar exchange gold participant.