News & Updates

First Ovarian Cancer Research Grant

Colleen’s Dream Foundation is making its first ovarian cancer research grant of $10,000 to Johns Hopkins University on May 08, 2013, to celebrate the first-ever World Ovarian Cancer Day, according to Colleen’s Dream Foundation President Billy Cundiff.

“One of the main goals of Colleen’s Dream Foundation is to work with some of the top research hospitals and universities that are researching ovarian cancer,” says Cundiff. “We are excited to be funding early detection and improved treatment research at Johns Hopkins.”


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.

Go here for more information about Colleen’s Dream Foundation.

Cundiff says that by working with Johns Hopkins Department of Pathology, and offering seed funding to young investigators, Colleen’s Dream Foundation will fund cutting-edge research by some of the brightest, young minds in the world.

“The young investigators at Hopkins are some of the best and brightest in the world,” says Cundiff. “This grant is the culmination of many months of hard work for Colleen’s Dream Foundation and is the first of many that we will give out in 2013.”

Billy Cundiff’s wife, Nicole, the Executive Director of Colleen’s Dream Foundation, echoes his sentiments.

“We are so proud to support young investigators,” says Nicole. “These individuals are at the front lines and are making cutting-edge discoveries that will impact the future of ovarian cancer. My mom loved Baltimore and so it’s fitting that our first grant given be to a young investigator at Johns Hopkins.”

Dr. Robert J Kurman, who is the Richard TeLinde Distinguished Professor of Gynecologic Pathology in the Departments of Gynecology/Obstetrics, Pathology and Oncology, at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, says he is very grateful for the interest and support Colleen’s Dream Foundation has in young investigators at Johns Hopkins University. He says he is looking forward to working with Colleen’s Dream Foundation on many projects in the future.

“Dramatic advances are occurring in our understanding of how ovarian cancer develops, which will have an important impact in the early detection and treatment of this very deadly disease,” says Dr. Kurman. “Unfortunately, funding to support research, particularly for young investigators who are starting out on their academic careers, is being curtailed, which is jeopardizing their efforts. We are therefore very grateful to Colleen’s Dream Foundation for providing seed money, which will allow our young investigators in the Department of Pathology to pursue these important avenues of research.”

Go here to find out more about the Johns Hopkins Ovarian Cancer Research Program.

ABOUT OVARIAN CANCER AND COLLEEN’S DREAM FOUNDATION

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.

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.

Go here to find out more about Colleen’s Dream Foundation.

Colleen’s Dream Foundation is a qualified 501 (c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization based in Phoenix, Arizona.