DALLAS & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Individuals and organizations looking to contribute to advancements in metastatic breast cancer research can now do so by participating in Susan G. Komen’s inaugural crowdfunding initiative, launched today in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM).
Through this initiative, donors have the opportunity to contribute directly to the pioneering work of four scientists and their teams who are dedicated to making discoveries that will ultimately improve outcomes for patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer - the breast cancer that kills - refers to when breast cancer has spread beyond the breast to other organs in the body, most often to the bones, lungs, liver or brain. Metastatic breast cancer is incurable and is responsible for most of the nation’s 41,000 annual breast cancer deaths.
To achieve Komen’s Bold Goal to reduce current breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by 50 percent by 2026, Komen is focusing its research program on understanding the biology of metastatic breast cancer and developing ways to treat and prevent it. To date, Komen has invested more than $180 million toward metastatic breast cancer research, and more than 41 percent of Komen’s 2017 grants are devoted to metastatic research.
The scientists featured in the crowdfunding campaign were chosen through Komen’s rigorous peer review process based on the great promise of their work seeking to improve our understanding of how breast cancer cells metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body and investigating ways to use the immune system and targeted therapies to prevent this process of metastasis.
Donations received for this initiative will go further thanks to a matching commitment from Odonate Therapeutics™, a company dedicated to the development of therapeutics that improve and extend the lives of patients with cancer. Odonate and an affiliated partner will match, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, all donations toward this initiative received between October 2, 2017 and December 31, 2017, up to a maximum of $1.5 million.
In addition, Odonate will support Komen’s newly-created Clinical Trials Information Helpline, 1-877-GO-KOMEN (1-877-465-6636). This helpline aims to increase breast cancer patients’ understanding of breast cancer clinical trials, empower them with information and resources they need to make an educated decision about clinical trial enrollment and make it easier for them to participate in, and potentially benefit from, promising research.
“Our donor community is passionate, invigorated and vitally interested in making a unique and lasting impact on breast cancer research,” said Komen interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Ellen Willmott. “Likewise, our Komen-funded researchers are among the brightest and best in the world - we’re delighted to bring our community together with researchers through crowdfunding.”
“We are proud to partner with Susan G. Komen on this critical initiative to advance research in the field of metastatic breast cancer,” commented Kevin Tang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Odonate Therapeutics. “Odonate is dedicated to improving outcomes and quality of life for patients living with breast cancer, and we hope our partnership will encourage others to join us in supporting the vital mission of Susan G. Komen.”
Once the first four research grants are fulfilled, Komen will introduce additional researchers from its extensive network. Donors will have the opportunity to hear the researchers’ stories, learn about their work and better understand the impact that each researcher is making or hopes to make in breast cancer research.
Those interested in supporting and learning more about the crowdfunded grantees are encouraged to visit BeMoreThanPink.org.
About Susan G. Komen
Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit outside of the federal government while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen has set a Bold Goal to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $956 million in research and provided more than $2.1 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 60 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. That promise has become Komen’s promise to all people facing breast cancer. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at ww5.komen.org/social.
About Odonate Therapeutics™
Odonate Therapeutics™ is dedicated to the development of best-in-class therapeutics that improve and extend the lives of patients with cancer. The Company’s initial focus is on the development of tesetaxel, a novel, orally administered chemotherapy belonging to the taxane class. Odonate’s goal for tesetaxel is to develop an effective chemotherapy choice for patients that provides quality-of-life advantages over current alternatives. To learn more, please visit www.odonate.com.
