Colleen’s Dream Foundation, with the Valley Toyota Dealers Association of Phoenix, Gift $10,000 to The University of Arizona Cancer Center to Fund Ovarian Cancer Research
Colleen’s Dream Foundation with the help of the Arizona Valley Toyota Dealers Association of Phoenix, AZ, has made a $10,000 gift to the University of Arizona Cancer Center in an effort to support early ovarian cancer detection research, according to Colleen’s Dream Foundation President Billy Cundiff.
“The University of Arizona is pushing the understanding of ovarian cancer forward,” says Cundiff. “Not only are the doctors and support staff family to us, 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, adding, “The cancer research program at The University of Arizona is the best in the state.”
According to Cundiff, the gift will be used to fund research by Dr. Amanda Baker, whose work focuses on early detection using hypoxia related biomarkers and microRNA; a project which takes advantage of University of Arizona’s resources in their high risk clinic and tumor bank. Cundiff says Dr. Baker is part of the university’s ovarian cancer group in Tucson and her work could really benefit from the funding.
Cundiff says he is also very appreciative of the support Colleen’s Dream Foundation has received from the Valley Toyota Dealers Association in making this gift possible.
“We are excited to partner with Valley Toyota Dealers in supporting ovarian cancer research in the state of Arizona,” says Cundiff. “It’s partnerships like this that make the possibility of fighting ovarian cancer a reality.”
The Valley Toyota Dealers is a collective of ten Toyota dealerships throughout the Greater Phoenix, AZ area. Association President John O’Malley says the organization is honored to help support the efforts of Colleen’s Dream Foundation in its fight against ovarian cancer.
“Our hope is that these efforts will help women right here in the Valley with early detection and treatment options that make a real difference,” says O’Malley. “As a deeply invested partner in our community, Valley Toyota Dealers is keenly aware of the importance of giving back to groups that are making a difference in the lives of Arizonans.”
Rob Ginis, a board member of the Valley Toyota Dealers Association agrees with O’Malley saying ovarian cancer is something members of the Association have personal experience with, and therefore realize how important it is to fight this disease.
“It’s startling how close to home this terrible disease hits,” says Ginis. “We don’t have go far within our own personal and professional circles to find people whose lives have been impacted by ovarian cancer.”
ABOUT VALLEY TOYOTA DEALERS:
Founded in 1989, Valley Toyota Dealers is the Toyota Dealer Association consisting of all ten Toyota dealers in the metropolitan Phoenix area: AutoNation Tempe, Avondale, Bell Road, Big Two, Camelback, Earnhardt, Larry Miller, Right, Riverview, and Toyota of Surprise.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA CANCER CENTER:
Since being established in 1976, the University of Arizona Cancer Center has worked to prevent and cure cancer. The Cancer Center is a leader in research on women’s cancers (breast, ovarian), men’s cancers (prostate), gastrointestinal cancers (colon, pancreas and liver), lymphoma and skin cancers and is home to one of the largest Cancer Prevention and Control Programs among the nation’s comprehensive cancer centers, with leading prevention research in breast, colon, lung, prostate and skin cancers.
ABOUT COLLEEN’S DREAM FOUNDATION:
Colleen’s Dream Foundation started in 2012 and supports research for early detection and improved treatment for ovarian cancer. The story of Colleen’s Dream started in 2007 when Colleen Drury –Nicole Cundiff’ mother and Billy Cundiff’s mother-in-law- was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer. The family became aware of a new world that was filled with invasive surgery, harsh chemotherapy, and lots of uncertainty, and realized they needed to help others who were dealing with ovarian cancer.
Colleen’s Dream Foundation believes 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, there is an incredible opportunity for research and education.
Colleen’s Dream Foundation is a qualified 501 (c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization based in Phoenix, Arizona.