Drake University’s Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) and Colleen’s Dream Foundation Donate $10,000 to the University of Iowa’s Holden Cancer Center to Fight Ovarian Cancer
Drake University’s Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) and Colleen’s Dream Foundation have donated $10,000 to support ovarian cancer research, according to Billy Cundiff, President of Colleen’s Dream Foundation.
Cundiff, who is also the kicker for the Cleveland Browns, says the money raised by the FIJIs Kicking Cancer Event was matched by Colleen’s Dream Foundation and will fund research to be conducted by Michael Goodheart, MD, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Iowa’s Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Cundiff says the Drake FIJIs were instrumental in making this donation possible.
“The FIJIs did a great job this year with their Kicking Cancer Event,” says Cundiff. “We wanted to maximize the impact of their efforts by keeping the money in the state of Iowa and we can do this by making this donation to the University of Iowa’s Holden Cancer Center.”
FIJI representative Andrew Bell says this was a wonderful community event inspired by Billy Cundiff and Colleen’s Dream Foundation.
“It was a profoundly rewarding experience to see FIJIs, other Drake undergrads, alumni, and community members come together behind such an important cause,” says Bell. “Billy truly embodies what it means to be a persistent leader and a poignant example of selfless service.”
This is the second year Colleen’s Dream Foundation and the Drake FIJIs have teamed up with the Kicking Cancer Event to raise money to fund ovarian cancer research. Cundiff says it’s great to be able to keep the money raised in Iowa, by supporting the excellent research being conducted by Dr. Goodheart.
“Dr. Goodheart is performing valuable ovarian cancer research,” says Cundiff. “At Colleen’s Dream Foundation, we want to continue to support cutting edge research, so we are excited to match all the funds raised by the Drake FIJIs Kicking Cancer Event and keep the money in Iowa.”
According to George Weiner, MD, the Director of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, the donation by the Drake FIJIs and Colleen’s Dream Foundation will in fact support important “cutting edge” research being conducted at the center.
“The standard approach to treating many cancers has changed dramatically over recent years based on cancer research,” says Weiner. “Recent research discoveries in ovarian cancer suggest we should be able to develop new, more effective, and better tolerated ovarian cancer treatments, but this will only happen if we continue to invest in research. Support for ovarian cancer research, such as that provided by Colleen’s Dream Foundation, is essential if we are to make this ‘Dream’ a reality.”
Dr. Goodheart agrees with Dr. Weiner and says donations like the one from the Drake FIJIs and Colleen’s Dream Foundation are key for advancing ovarian cancer patient care, and for preventing ovarian cancer.
“Gifts from partners like Colleen’s Dream Foundation bolster our efforts to discover more about the origins, prevention, development, and treatment of cancer,” says Goodheart. “Most important, they help us speed progress toward translating research advances in the laboratory to advances in patient care.”
For more information about University of Iowa’s Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Holden Cancer Center visit these links:
http://www.uihealthcare.org/otherservices.aspx?id=20789
http://www.uihealthcare.org/nci/
http://www.uihealthcare.org/about-us/
ABOUT OVARIAN CANCER:
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.
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.