January 11, 2012

White Dog and The White Dog Army
Wonderful World Wednesday
White Dog, The Mighty Quinn, Nuka Angel, Puff the Magical, and YoYoMa (from the moment he joined our family) spent much of last year fighting to end the c monster. The WDA fund-raised and awareness campaigned and educated others about comparative oncology (a new hope that fights cancer in both canines and humans). Our Autumn centered around the 2MillionDog Puppy Up! Walk to End Cancer, the first ever in Albuquerque.

We found our Army reinforced heavily here in our Blog community as so many of you donated items for fundraising, made contributions, took the time to add your loved ones to our Wall of Cancer Warriors. We were overwhelmed. Corporate sponsors and vendors added their support. And when over a hundred people and even more dogs showed up to Walk for the monster's end...I cried in amazement.  We thanked the Universe a million times for all of you who proved that the world truly IS wonderful.

Well today, our efforts, all of ours, yours too, made the world even more filled with hope. 2MillionDogs.org this year raised over $147, 000 through its Walks around the country. Over 2000 people and 1700 dogs participated to bring down the beast.

But the best news is for the first time in the organizations short life, it is able to fund a unique research project to advance our fight against cancer. Today, $50,000 was presented to Princeton University to fund the Molecular Study of Canine Mammary Tumor Development and Progression: from Genome to Clinical Outcome.

Mammary tumors are the most common tumors in intact female dogs, and in humans, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women (about 1 in 8 are stricken during their lifetimes). Mammary tumors in dogs and breast cancer in women have many similarities, both in terms of risk and in biology. Recent research has provided evidence that mammary tumors progress over time from benign lesions to malignant tumors. Our study builds on these findings with a genome-wide study of the molecular changes associated with the progression.

In order to do this research, Dr. Karin Sorenmo (UofPA) has established a Shelter Canine Mammary Tumor Program; this research is a combination of her clinical expertise with Dr. Troyanskaya's (Princeton) expertise in genomics and bioinformatics.

This program is a true bridge between clinical and translational research, integrating clinical care with cutting-edge biomedical science. Additionally, homeless dogs are provided with lifelong high quality treatment that they need to survive. We believe this is the first study of its kind for dogs or humans.

We would not have been able to do this without your help! The WDA clearly sees a Wonderful World...soon...when cancer.touches.everyone NO ONE!