Colleen’s Dream Foundation, with Help From Toyo Tires and NFL Kicker Nick Novak, Gifts $12,000 to UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center

In its continued effort to fight ovarian cancer, Colleen’s Dream Foundation, with help from Toyo Tires and NFL kicker Nick Novak, has gifted $12,000 to UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center to fund research conducted by Christian Barrett, PhD, a UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center project scientist.

NFL kicker Billy Cundiff, a member of the Colleen’s Dream Foundation Board of Directors, says the combined efforts of Colleen’s Dream Foundation with Toyo Tires and NFL kicker Nick Novak, has produced excellent results in raising funds for Dr. Barrett’s ovarian cancer research.

“By partnering with Toyo Tires and Nick Novak, Colleen’s Dream was able to make the biggest impact possible in terms of dollars raised to support Dr. Barrett’s research,” says Cundiff. “Dr. Barrett is performing cutting edge research that is getting us closer to an early detection test. We couldn’t be more excited about the progress he has made.”

This gift of $12,000 is the second gift Colleen’s Dream Foundation has made to Dr. Barrett for his ovarian cancer research. Research, according to Dr. Barrett, which focuses on identifying molecules that are specific to tumors and that can be used for early detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.

“My research lies at the intersection of computer science, genomics, and cancer biology,” says Dr. Barrett. “These are fields that individually have been undergoing dramatic changes over the last 5-10 years and that in combination are historically unprecedented in their potential to yield insights that can save lives.”

Dr. Barrett says such molecules are both a primary goal and key discovery challenge across diverse areas of oncology.

“I used my gift from Colleen’s Dream Foundation to validate a process that I have developed for systematically discovering tumor-specific molecules in tumors,” he says. “I am now using molecules that I am discovering to develop an early cancer detection test and an anti-cancer vaccine for ovarian cancer.”

NFL kicker Nick Novak says he is excited about the research he is helping Colleen’s Dream Foundation fund, and says there are a number of reasons he is helping Colleen’s Dream Foundation raise money and awareness to fight against ovarian cancer.

“I love to help out Colleen’s Dream Foundation for many reasons,” says Novak. “For one in particular, I have a great friendship and respect for Billy Cundiff and his family. We have all been affected by this terrible disease, I have watched helplessly as a close friend passed and over the years I have had the pleasure to meet many survivors and hear about their heroic fight to a cancer free life.”

“I just try to do my part to help all the doctors who are working diligently to find a cure,” Novak adds. “I love to compete out there on the field and always try to raise as much money as I can through my kicks. I am looking forward to another productive season.”

• This year, Toyo Tires donated $50 for every field goal Nick made. He converted 22 field goals in 2014.
• Dr. Barrett recently published his work (http://www.pnas.org/content/112/23/E3050.full) on systematically discovering tumor-specific molecules in tumors current in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

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’s 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.