Animal Cancer Foundation Announces $1 Million Gift to Inaugurate Canine Cancer Genome Project

NORWALK, Conn., Oct. 24, 2017 -- Animal Cancer Foundation (ACF), a national non-profit organization that supports comparative oncology research that studies the similarities between naturally occurring cancers in people and pets to find cures for both species, is proud to announce a $1 million dollar gift by long-time benefactor The Blue Buffalo Foundation to support the Canine Cancer Genome Project (CCGP).  The CCGP project seeks to map the tumor genomes of the most common canine cancers, a missing piece of information cancer researchers need to expedite research to benefit pets and people. 

One-in-four dogs develops naturally occurring cancer in its lifetime compared with one in three women and one in two men. The most common cancers in our pets are also very common in people, particularly children. Understanding the genetic makeup of canine cancer tumors, and comparing their genetic makeup to those of people with cancer, will allow researchers to discover additional targeted drug therapies and the least toxic doses of those therapies that are most effective in curing the individual, whether canine or human.

The initiative arose as a result of a review conducted in 2015 by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Science and supported in part by Animal Cancer Foundation that highlighted the value of comparative oncology and the inclusion of veterinary oncologists in accelerating cancer drug development.

Animal Cancer Foundation has assembled a scientific advisory council composed of leading experts in cancer genetics, drug development and comparative oncology to author a request for proposals for genomics laboratories capable of generating, analyzing and hosting the resulting data in the public domain, allowing researchers across disciplines access to refine clinical trials, and improving efficiency of drug development for all.

Animal Cancer Foundation has pledged to raise an additional $1 million in support of the project.  The fundraising effort launched October 1 and is being supported by The Blue Buffalo Foundation which has partnered with ACF to supplement the reach of the organization, especially during its May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month campaign.

“We are proud to support Animal Cancer Foundation in their important work helping to find ways to cure this terrible disease affecting pets,” said David Petrie, President, Blue Buffalo Foundation.

“We are thankful to the Blue Buffalo Foundation and their millions of donors nationwide for their support to help us further our mission.  The Canine Cancer Genome Project will help to fill a resource gap in cancer research for our beloved family members, people and pets, that are battling the disease,” said Barbara Cohen, Executive Director of Animal Cancer Foundation.  “We look forward to raising the additional funds needed to get this important genetic information into the hands of cancer researchers.”

For more information visit:  www.ACFoundation.org/CCGP

About The Blue Buffalo Foundation

The Blue Buffalo Foundation was established in 2004 by the founders of Blue Buffalo, a manufacturer of natural dog and cat foods under the BLUE™ brand name. In alignment with our mission of enhancing the lives of the pets who bring us so much joy, we created the Blue Buffalo Foundation. A nonprofit charitable organization, the Foundation encompasses a variety of programs intended to improve the lives of our furry friends and the pet parents who love them by funding cancer research, providing financial assistance for cancer treatments, veterinary scholarships, and support to organizations that supply service dogs to disabled military personnel. For more information visit BlueBuffaloFoundation.org.

About Animal Cancer Foundation

Animal Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to finding novel treatment therapies and eventual cures for cancer by funding research in and increasing public awareness of comparative oncology, the study of naturally occurring cancers in pets and people to benefit both.  Founded by Gerald S. Post, DVM, MEM, Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology) in October 1999, Animal Cancer Foundation is based in Norwalk, CT.  For more information visit www.acfoundation.org

Contact: 

Barbara Cohen, Executive Director
Animal Cancer Foundation
(T)  917-612-4514
(E): [email protected]