ACF is dedicated to funding innovative comparative oncology research to further the development of improved cancer diagnostics and treatments for pets and people.
Our pets are diagnosed with cancer at an alarming rate, with up to 60% of many breeds developing cancer in their lifetime. Cancer is also one of the most common causes of death in people. The most common cancers in our pets – lymphoma, bone cancer, breast cancer, bladder tumors, leukemia, brain tumors and sarcomas – are also very common in people, particularly in children.
Veterinary oncologists and medical researchers studying pet animal cancer are perhaps the single most untapped source of relevant clinical data in the fight against cancer in people. Why? Because for the first time in history the genomes of the dog, cat and human have been sequenced and this information can be utilized to investigate the similarities in the genetics of cancer in these “large animals.” These three species- dogs, cats and humans – are the only species to get spontaneously occurring cancer in the millions of cases per year. Unlike laboratory based mouse and rat studies, these comparative oncology clinical trials are conducted by the pet’s own veterinarian, an emphasis is placed on protocols that are designed to maximize both the quantity and quality of the pet’s life, and meaningful results for both pets and people can be obtained in a one to two year period.
For 2010-2012, ACF is considering research proposals that focus on:
·
Critical evaluation of the diagnostic and/or therapeutic potential of recent discoveries for advancement to clinical application ·
Innovative research that incorporates novel or original concepts to expedite clinical study · Research conducted by DVMs, PhDs, or MDs in comparative oncology with an emphasis placed on the quality and therapeutic potential of the research, the caliber of the laboratory/facility equipment, and the experience of the principal investigator · Research in the critical "start-up" phase during which funds impact the ability of investigators to obtain initial results that attract additional donors
Many Thanks to Castor & Pollux for Their Generous Donations Norwalk, CT, October 29, 2011
For the past several years Castor & Pollux Natural PetWorks has been donating to ACF through their PetWorks Partners program. Many thanks for all of their generosity.
Launched in 2000, Castor & Pollux Natural PetWorks was the first branded, premium quality line of natural specialty food and supplies for pets. ORGANIX, our line of certified organic food and treats for dogs and cats, debuted in March 2003 and Natural Ultramix was introduced in early 2004. In addition to being an innovator in natural and organic food for dogs and cats, we are also committed to feeding pets in need. To date, weʼve served over 3 million meals to pets living in shelters and foster homes, and we partner with non-profit pet rescue organizations around the country through our PetWorks Partners program. But weʼre not satisfied yet. As long as there are dogs and cats in the world, weʼll be constantly looking for new ways to make their lives better through wholesome, organic and natural nutrition. And no one does natural like we do.
In Loving Memory of Sue Chadd Norwalk, CT, August 30, 2011
With tremendous sadness, VPI announces the passing of eight and a half-year VPI veteran Sue Chadd. Sue started at VPI in the Customer Care department and eventually transferred to Claims, holding both Claims Specialist and Claims Trainer positions in Brea. She was a critical part of the VPI's Denver expansion, instrumental in training new Claims Specialists hired for Denver. Most recently, she was an integral member of VPI's Employee Contribution Committee, a panel responsible for deciding on company donations to local pet charities. Her passion for her job and optimistic demeanor made her always a pleasure to work with. Sue will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
VPI's Employee Charitable Contribution Committee has made a donation to the Animal Cancer Foundation in memory of Sue Chadd to honor her deep love for all animals and her too brief battle with cancer.
ACF makes donation to Melissa C. Paoloni, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), National Cancer Institute, Comparative Oncology Program, to support the initial evaluation of a personalized medicine approach in dogs with cancer. Norwalk, CT, December 7,2010
ACF makes donation to Melissa C. Paoloni, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), National Cancer Institute, Comparative Oncology Program, to support the initial evaluation of a personalized medicine approach in dogs with cancer. Studies will be conducted to determine if a novel algorithm can predict baseline sensitivity of canine Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) to chemotherapy and potential novel therapies. The grant supports the in vitro evaluation of this approach and molecular profiling of canine TCC.
A Double Reward. By Kathryn Levy Feldman, University of Pennsylvania Gazette, September, 2010
A program at the School of Veterinary Medicine provides free surgery and follow-up care to shelter dogs with mammary tumors and matches them with willing owners, while also collecting data that could advance treatment of human breast cancers.
“She looked like she needed someone to love her,” recalls Mildred Edmond of the first time she saw Cali’s picture on the website of the Bucks County, Pennsylvania, SPCA. Edmond already had two dogs—an eight-year-old cock-a-poo and a four-year-old poodle—but like many pet owners her heart is bigger than her house... More...
ACF Awards a Grant to Nick Duesbery, Ph.D. of the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), to Support the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium. Norwalk, CT, November 19, 2010
Specifically, this grant provides ancillary funding for the “From Bark To Bedside” initiative that studies the genetic relationship between human and canine cancers. This is a joint initiative that brings a unique multi-disciplinary approach to cancer research and involves VARI, TGen, Michigan State University, University of Pennsylvania and other organizations, led by principal investigators Drs. Jeffrey Trent, Nick Duesbery and Mark Neff. This ACF grant is made in honor of Scott and Trish Shannon for their commitment to comparative oncology research. ACF is proud to join government agencies (NIH/NCI) and corporate sponsors (HillsFoods and Petsmart) to fund this project.
Animal Cancer Foundation Thanks The World Pet Association for Their Generous DonationNorwalk, CT, November 19, 2010
The World Pet Association has given ACF a generous donation of $7,000. This donation was raised through the kindness of retailers participating in the Silent Auction at the Super Zoo Pet Retailers Convention, September 14-16 in Las Vegas.
Animal Cancer Foundation Grant Poised To Help Humans & CaninesWet Nose Guide, November 17, 2010
While dogs have often been known to save their owners from blazing house fires and raging rivers, new research to be funded by the Animal Cancer Foundation may lend a whole new meaning to the title “Man’s Best Friend.” The ACF announced in October that they were making a $20,000 grant to the Van Andel Research Institute, who will be working withthe Translational Genome Research Institute to study... More...
Animal Cancer Foundation Makes Grant to Van Andel Research Institute/Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium to Help Unravel Genetic Causes of Cancer Norwalk, CT, October 25, 2010
Grant Made in Honor of WPLJ’s Scott Shannon and His Wife Trish to Recognize Their Commitment to Comparative Oncology Research As part of its mission to develop and support research that advances the prevention and treatment of cancer for people and pets, the Animal Cancer Foundation (ACF) is making a $20,000 grant to the Van Andel Research Institute. With a common hope of improving the health and welfare of humans afflicted with rare tumors, and canines affected with... More...
Canine Cancer Horizon, Eight/Arizona PBS, May 18, 2010
Canine Cancer The Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is partnering with the Van Andel Research Institute in Michigan to study cancers in dogs. The goal is to find ways to improve the health of both dogs and people. President and Research Director for TGen Dr. Jeffrey Trent talks about the research project.
Host: Ted Simons
Guests: Dr. Jeffrey Trent - President and Research Director, TGen
See the video here...
US pet owners paying for high-tech veterinary care by Verena Dobnik , AARP, July 20, 2010
Around the nation, veterinarians are practicing ever more advanced medicine on the nation's 77 million dogs, 90 million cats and a myriad of other animals -- treatments that vie with the best of human medicine. The driving force is "the changing role of the pet in our society," said Dr. Patty Khuly, a veterinarian at Miami's Sunset Animal Clinic. more...
7th Annual Pictures with SantaPioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital, December 5, 2009
Pioneer Valley Veterinary Hospital, Greenfield, MA held their 7th Annual Pictures with Santa, Saturday, December 5th. So far they have raised $1,352.00, just $148.00 shy of their $1500.00 Goal. There is still time to buy tickets for the Chinese Auction to be drawn on December 23rd. There are great prizes from local business such as Fosters, Greenfield Farmers Co-op, 7th South Bakery, Hope & Olive, Mohawk Diner and many more. Please stop by and make a donation today or buy tickets for a chance to win a great prize!... more...
City Dogs Lead Walk Toward Cancer Cure Haley Finnegan, ZooToo.com, October 28, 2009
For the first time in New York, Veterinary Pet Insurance hosted their K9K Pet Cancer Awareness Walk at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn. People came out to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge... more...
See the video below...
Walking For Pet HealthBrooklyn Eagle, October 26, 2009
Pet owners and their pets — wearing red ponchos, T-shirts and bandannas — braved the drizzle in Brooklyn Heights this past Saturday morning to take part in the third annual K9K... more...
ACF Begins Partnership with OneCause October 05,
2009
OneCause empowers consumers who care about doing good to improve their world by making their everyday purchases make a difference – every day. OneCause funds a consumer’s chosen cause or school by channeling their everyday purchases to well-known merchants and service providers, who contribute a percentage of every purchase back to the cause or school.
Holly McCain to Donate Royalties From Poetry Books to ACF September 14,
2009
Holly McCain is generously donating the royalties from her two books of poetry and photography to ACF.
Brown Eyes
A poetry book for children of all ages. This fun, and charming book, will make
all dog lovers stop and say, "My pup, did that!"
Puppy Love
This fun poetry book, shows
love, caring,and life through the
eyes of a Pup. Shadow and her pals show the
reader that being different makes
friendship even better!
A fun family read!
Dr. Levine and Dr. Post at Friends of Cancer Research Capitol Hill Briefing! August 2,
2009
Animal Cancer Foundation Executive Board President Dr. David Levine and Founder/Board Member Dr. Gerald Post were invited to a Capital Hill Briefing, “Realizing the Promise of Cancer-Preventing Drugs and Vaccines” sponsored by C-Change and the Friends of Cancer Research, Ellen Sigal, PhD, on Monday, July 20, 2009. Guests of honor included Senator Dianne Feinstein and Tom Kean, M.P.H, of C-Change. Victor Vogel, M.D., MHS of the American Cancer Society hosted a panel discussion highlighting challenges and opportunities of developing cancer-preventing therapies, emerging scientific issues (biomarkers) and uncharted regulatory pathways, collaboration through the critical path initiative, limitations in patent and intellectual property law and the uncertainty of reimbursement.
Opus and the Red Chair is Now on Sale! August,
2008
Please
support the ACF by thinking of purchasing this wonderful book by our
friend Alice Koesterich and illustrated by Sara Kahn. It’s a wonderful
story about a dog who moves with his family and his adjustment. Loving,
fun and beautifully illustrated, it would make a great gift for anyone!
Thanks Alice and thank you to all who purchase this charming story!
All profits go to the Animal Cancer Foundation.
We
have recently partnered with FetchDog, a dog-centric universe
of all things canine. FetchDog offers passionate dog people
a place to find the highest quality products, credible advice
on their dog's health and wellness, and an online community
of fellow humans who love their dogs. Any purchases from
this link will result in 6-8% of the order value to be donated
back to Animal Cancer Foundation --- help yourself while
helping us! And be sure to request their free catalog. Click
here to request your free catalog from FetchDog.
2 Dogs, 2,000 Miles Feb, 2008
A
walk from Austin to Boston... A walk for all those
touched by cancer... and the start of a journey to
rid the world of this disease...
Our Mission: Discovering the Cause of Cancer not Finding
a Cure.
It all began when I lost Malcolm, my Great Pyrenees, to
metastatic bone cancer. He was my boy and his loss devasted
me. And it became the inspiration behind the 2,400
mile journey from Austin to Boston that I'll be taking with
my two other Pyrenees, Hudson and Murphy.
The funds raised from the walk will finance the first ever
nationwide epidemiological canine cancer study which will
be managed by our partner, the Animal Cancer Foundation...
more
Our pets are diagnosed with cancer at an alarming rate, with up to 60% of many breeds developing cancer in their lifetime. Cancer is also one of the most common causes of death in people. The most common cancers in our pets – lymphoma, bone cancer, breast cancer, bladder tumors, leukemia, brain tumors and sarcomas – are also very common in people, particularly in children. 
To discover more about comparative oncology and ACF 
For the past several years Castor & Pollux Natural PetWorks has been donating to ACF through their PetWorks Partners program. Many thanks for all of their generosity.
With tremendous sadness, VPI announces the passing of eight and a half-year VPI veteran Sue Chadd. Sue started at VPI in the Customer Care department and eventually transferred to Claims, holding both Claims Specialist and Claims Trainer positions in Brea. She was a critical part of the VPI's Denver expansion, instrumental in training new Claims Specialists hired for Denver. Most recently, she was an integral member of VPI's Employee Contribution Committee, a panel responsible for deciding on company donations to local pet charities. Her passion for her job and optimistic demeanor made her always a pleasure to work with. Sue will be deeply missed by all who knew her. 
A program at the School of Veterinary Medicine provides free surgery and follow-up care to shelter dogs with mammary tumors and matches them with willing owners, while also collecting data that could advance treatment of human breast cancers.
Specifically, this grant provides ancillary funding for the “From Bark To Bedside” initiative that studies the genetic relationship between human and canine cancers. This is a joint initiative that brings a unique multi-disciplinary approach to cancer research and involves VARI, TGen, Michigan State University, University of Pennsylvania and other organizations, led by principal investigators Drs. Jeffrey Trent, Nick Duesbery and Mark Neff. This ACF grant is made in honor of Scott and Trish Shannon for their commitment to comparative oncology research. ACF is proud to join government agencies (NIH/NCI) and corporate sponsors (HillsFoods and Petsmart) to fund this project.
The World Pet Association has given ACF a generous donation of $7,000.
Canine Cancer The Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is partnering with the Van Andel Research Institute in Michigan to study cancers in dogs. The goal is to find ways to improve the health of both dogs and people. President and Research Director for TGen Dr. Jeffrey Trent talks about the research project.
be drawn on December 23rd. There are great prizes from local business such as Fosters, Greenfield Farmers Co-op, 7th South Bakery, Hope & Olive, Mohawk Diner and many more. Please stop by and make a donation today or buy tickets for a chance to win a great prize!... 
A
walk from Austin to Boston... A walk for all those
touched by cancer... and the start of a journey to
rid the world of this disease...
