ACF’s Research Focus 2004 - 2009

ACF places the highest priority on supporting research that benefits both pets and people; and to educating the public and the scientific community about the ways comparative oncology is accelerating the treatment, prevention and ultimate eradication of cancer. To these ends, the organization has established its first integrated research program. Through two unique partnerships, ACF is developing and supporting research that from 2004 - 2009 will focus on:

     · Discovering new life-saving treatments for cancer
     · Defining practical interventions to prevent cancer
     · Determing how aging affects cancer incidence and aggressiveness
     · Developing reliable methods to assess an individual’s cancer risk

To realize these initiatives, we look forward to the continued support of those who, through their generosity, have enabled us to reach this juncture, and to welcoming those who have yet to join us on the next phase of our historic journey.

Animal Cancer Foundation and Genia Working Together to Fund Cancer Research

NEW YORK (May 3, 2007) –It is a little known fact that cancer is more prevalent in pets than in people, according to the Animal Cancer Foundation (ACF).

Thus, for Pet Health Week (May 6-12) the ACF announced a new nationwide drive to increase awareness about pet cancer.

“The Animal Cancer Foundation initiative will be underway through the summer and will culminate in Pet Cancer Awareness Month in November 2007,” said Dr. Gerald Post, ACF president.

The effort will include information about cancer detection for pet owners and collaboration among industry partners to raise awareness about the value of resarch into pet and human cancer.

Few people realize that pet cancer is so widespread, he said. Adjusting for population, cancer is 16 times more prevalent in dogs and 13 times more prevalent in cats than in people.

“Cancer can be a devastating diagnosis for a person or for a pet,” Post says. “But we have great hopes for progress.” Post noted a number of positive trends in the search for new cures for cancer.

• Each day brings new findings about cancer biology, uncovering new hope for better prevention, early detection or more successful treatment.
People and pets get the same kinds of cancer. Medical researchers now understand that studying cancer in pets can benefit people and studying cancer in people can benefit pets.
• More pet owners have pets treated for cancer, and learn than treatment side effects are less severe in pets than in people.
• Non-profit groups and pet supply companies are starting to work together to raise awareness and support new cures for pet cancer.
• Leading pet organizations are focusing more attention on cancer.
• Pet cancer groups are borrowing effective ideas from human cancer efforts, such as clinical research cooperatives, fundraising programs and successes like the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
• FDA-approved vaccine will be available soon.

Iditarod Racing Team to Sport Charity Collars For Cancer

Karen Ramstead, a six-time competitor in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, is joining in the fight to help find cures for pet cancer.

“All the dogs on my Iditarod team this year will be sporting bright orange Pet4Pets™ charity collars,” said Ramstead, an Alberta dog musher and Siberian Husky breeder. The collars are sold in pet stores, vet clinics and at www.pet4pets.com to support pet cancer research. Each collar sold raises $2 for the Animal Cancer Foundation.

The legendary Iditarod follows a 1,151-mile trail through deep snow, two mountain ranges, along the lonely Yukon River, and finally up the coast of the Bering Sea. The race celebrates the dramatic 1925 delivery by dog sled of lifesaving medicine for a diphtheria outbreak in Nome, Alaska. When Ramstead’s team sets off from Anchorage this March, they will be joining the race to cure cancer in pets and people.

“Like many dog owners, we have lost a number of dogs to cancer. As I speak, Chester, one of my 10-year-old retired leaders, is living out his last days. It breaks my heart to watch as this once amazing athlete is beaten by cancer,” she said.  Ramstead spotted the charity collars at the vet clinic. In agony at Chester’s diagnosis, she felt that sponsoring the collars was a way to honor her canine companion of thousands of miles of aching cold and exhausted jubilation.

Chester arrived in her life at a grim time in the winter of 1996/97. She had lost her father to cancer. Her husband, Mark, was out of work. The last thing they needed was another dog. But Chester stayed, and it was a turning point in their lives.

Soon Mark got a new job. They moved from Calgary to Perryvale, near Athabasca in Northern Alberta. And Karen, a Toronto transplant, got serious about the Iditarod, called The Last Great Race on Earth. Just to finish is a triumph of will.

She and Chester first tried it in 2000 but did not finish. The next year, they did. She was the first Canadian woman to complete the race. And Chester was a leader in the first team of registered Canadian Kennel Club Huskies to cross the finish line, she said.

In 2004, her team, led by Chester and her superstar leader, Grover, set the third-fastest time for a purebred team. As celebrities, she and Chester toured schools to teach youngsters about mushing. Chester loved kids, and they loved him right back.  “With his non-stop wagging tail and friendly Siberian grin, he made friends wherever we went,” she recalled. A handsome dog, Chester also won a Canadian Championship and is one of only seven Champion Siberian Huskies that have finished the Iditarod.

In January 2005, Chester retired from racing after a shoulder injury. He spent the winter of 2006 in New Hampshire and came home to retire.

Recently he was having trouble swallowing food. A lump appeared on his head. An X-ray, barium swallow and biopsy confirmed that Chester had advanced cancer and less than a month to live.  “Our once proud, strong sled dog has moved into the house so that we can enjoy every moment we can with him,” she said.  “Chester and I have traveled 20,000 miles together in harness over the years. We have conquered the Alaska Mountain Range, brutal storms, ice, overflow and more – but this is something that he and I can't beat.”

So this March her team will sprint across the frigid wilderness to honor the brave dog teams of 1925. And they will wear symbols of a great challenge for the 21st Century – to fight cancer, a disease that afflicts millions more pets than people.  Sponsoring the charity collars for the Animal Cancer foundation helps raise awareness that scientists studying pet cancer can also shed light on human disease and that many pets with cancer may benefit from new human cancer therapies.

“If telling Chester's story can help make it so someday another dog owner doesn't have to watch their dog go through this, I'm all for it,” she said.

For more information about Pet4Pets charity collars, visit www.pet4pets.com.

How a Little Dog's Big Battle Against Cancer is Helping
Save the Life of a Loved One

"Sparky Fights Back" is the inspiring story of an Australian Terrier's corageous fight against cancer. In honor of Sparky's successful fight, the authors, Josée Clerens and John Clifton, are donating a portion of their royalties to the Animal Cancer Foundation.

"What would you do if a beloved family member was diagnosed with an 'incurable' disease?" The news can be devastating - you want to do everything you can, but the feeling of helplessness can paralyze. When the authors of "Sparky Fights Back" were told their beloved dog faced an incurable cancer, they pulled themselves together, got all the information they could, developed a plan, and proceeded to see it through, one day at a time. Miracles can happen! Following the example of Sparky and his owners' battle against cancer, you will strengthen your confidence - and you'll come to realize that the will to survive can be a choice. Through Sparky's story you'll know that, whether it's you or your pet, miracles can happen.

For ordering information and reviews of this special book, please visit the Sparky Fights Back website at www.sparkyfightsback.com.

Archived News Items

From May 2005:
Walk With Laurie at the American Cancer Society's DOGSWALK AGAINST CANCER!

On May 1 the American Cancer Society will sponsor the 2005 Dogswalk Against Cancer. Join the Canine Cancer Survival Team in honor of or in memory of your dog with cancer. Event will be held at Riverside Park in New York City. Join us to raise funds for the team, for the dogs, for the American Cancer Society.

Of Laurie Kaplan's book, "Help Your Dog Fight Cancer," Dog Fancy Magazine's Terry Winkelmann says: "Gentle, accessible, and full of hope, Kaplan's book offers an understandable overview of cancer pathology and treatment. With contributions from 10 different veterinary experts, the text covers supplements, diets, chemotherapy, and both traditional and holistic approaches. Anyone in the unfortunate position to need this information will benefit greatly from her reporter's skill at research, her editor's gift for making tough material readable, and her personal experience."

For ordering information and reviews of "Help Your Dog Fight Cancer," please visit www.helpyourdogfightcancer.com.

From May 2004 - Jan 2005:
How an Artist’s Limited Edition Book is Helping
Save the Life of a Loved One

Stephen Huneck, the popular author, artist and pet lover, is generously donating 20% of the proceeds from an artist’s edition of his newest publication to ACF.

This is Stephen’s first limited edition book and is printed by Harry N. Abrams, America’s premier art book publisher. Printed on a heavy, high quality paper, “Sally Goes to the Vet” features colorful woodcut images, Stephen’s engaging text and each copy is personally signed and numbered by the artist. The edition of 375 has a goldleaf embossed cloth cover, coordinated slip case and those purchasing the book will also receive two limited edition prints, signed and numbered by the artist.

For further information, call (800) 449-2580 or visit his website at www.huneck.com.