Colleen’s Dream Foundation has made a $10,000 gift to The University of Arizona Cancer Center

In an ongoing effort to support research for early detection of ovarian cancer, Colleen’s Dream Foundation has made a $10,000 gift to The University of Arizona Cancer Center, according to Colleen’s Dream Foundation President Billy Cundiff.

“The University of Arizona Cancer Center is pushing the understanding of ovarian cancer forward,” says Cundiff. “Not only are the doctors and support staff like family, but they are at the cutting edge of research and application and that is why we support their efforts.”

Cundiff says it would be hard to find a better ovarian cancer research program to support in Arizona.

“The cancer research program at The University of Arizona is the best in the state,” says Cundiff. “And Dr. Chambers, who is the director of the newly created Division of Women’s Cancers at The University of Arizona Cancer Center, is considered to be in the top one percent of all gynecological oncologists in the country.”

According to The University of Arizona, Dr. Setsuko K. Chambers is one of the few gynecologic oncologist physician-scientists in the country who is active as both a researcher and clinical gynecologic oncologist, evaluating oncology patients at The University of Arizona Cancer Center. Her research laboratory, which is funded by both the National Cancer Institute and Department of Defense, is devoted to understanding the molecular basis for breast and ovarian cancer invasion and metastasis.

Dr. Chambers moved to Tucson to become director of the newly created Division of Women’s Cancers at The University of Arizona Cancer Center. Her current role is to develop a comprehensive Women’s Cancers program, encompassing both research and clinical practice in the areas of breast and gynecologic cancers.

It is at The University of Arizona where Dr. Chambers first met Colleen Drury, Billy Cundiff’s mother-in-law, and the inspiration for Colleen’s Dream Foundation.

“Colleen was very special to us at the University of Arizona Cancer Center,” says Dr. Chambers. “I speak of her frequently to the other patients, hoping to inspire them that they too can have a good quality of life, and special experiences while traveling, even on chemotherapy.”

Dr. Chambers recalls Colleen’s fierce independence, and the compassion of her daughters.

“Her daughters were always supportive, coming with her to her appointments, when she would let them,” says Dr. Chambers. “Colleen was independent, and amazingly strong despite seemingly insurmountable barriers. We admire her and miss her greatly.”

Billy Cundiff’s wife Nicole, the Executive Director of Colleen’s Dream Foundation, and one of Colleen’s four daughters, says she is excited to support a program that was so supportive to her, and her sisters, while their mother was being treated for ovarian cancer.

“My sisters and I are beyond excited to support Dr. Chambers and the amazing research the Arizona Cancer Center is doing,” says Nicole. “Dr. Chambers and her staff have been extremely important to us, as they gave our mom five years of life and hope, while other doctors prepared us for an immediate goodbye. Dr. Chambers never gave up on our mom and did everything in her power to give our mom the gift of time.”

“We miss our mom greatly, but will always remain thankful, for not just the holidays and vacations we got with her, but especially for the all the little moments we had,” says Nicole. “We appreciate that the Arizona Cancer Center is on the cutting edge of research and was able to give our mom the ‘gold standard’ of treatment. Dr. Chambers and her staff taught us a lot about the importance of both research and clinical trials and we are excited to contribute to the amazing work they are doing.”

“Colleen’s Dream Foundation is thrilled to begin a partnership with the University of Arizona Cancer Center,” says Nicole. “It will be a partnership in which we will work together to find an early detection test and cure for ovarian cancer.”