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Gala celebrity dinner benefits advanced breast cancer research at TGen
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Feb. 6, 2012 — Cookin’ for a Cure at Eddie’s House, hosted by the Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation, will raise funds for advanced breast cancer research at the non-profit Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
Projection Description
More than 200,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ‘invasive’ breast cancer this year, and more than 40,000 women will lose their lives. Despite significant advances made in understanding the behavior of breast cancer cells, we are still failing to interfere with the mechanical process of metastasis, the primary cause of death for breast cancer patients. Metastasis is the spreading of cancerous cells from the breast tissue into the blood stream or lymphatic system where they survive within the immune system and then exit at a distant organ where secondary tumors form. The mechanics of how a cancer cell achieves the ability to do this is poorly understood, and is the motivation for this investigation.
Projection Description
Approximately 75% of all patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer have hormone receptor positive disease, which means that hormones such as estrogen and progesterone act as fuel for their cancer cells to grow. There are a number of anti-hormonal agents in clinical practice that can effectively block the growth of these tumors. These drugs include Tamoxifen, Fulvestrant and aromatase inhibitors.
Projection Description
This year alone, approximately 11,000 women will be diagnosed with Stage IV (metastatic) breast cancer. The median survival for these women is 2 to 3 years, with only 27% surviving to 5 years. Despite recent innovations including type and order of treatment, drug delivery methods and availability of targeted therapies, the ability to make the best choice for the patient who has already been treated with multiple regimens remains an extreme clinical challenge.
Since the Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope inception in 2003, we've invested more than $1 million for advanced breast cancer research.
Marilyn B. Gula founded the Mountains of Hope Foundation eight years ago as a means to raise funds for advanced stage breast cancer, providing hope for women and their families who receive the dismal diagnosis. She lost her 10-year battle to breast cancer on July 26, 2006.
Marilyn's husband, co-founder and CEO of Mountains of Hope, Allen J. Gula, Jr. carried on his wife's legacy by renaming the organization in her honor and continuing her vision to “give every woman with Advanced Breast Cancer a fighting chance.”
This year alone, we've invested $75,000 at Phoenix-based TGen and $60,000 at the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Ohio. The funds were raised at the fourth annual Golf for a Cure event at the Shaker Heights Country Club in Ohio and Cookin' for a Cure at Eddie's House in Scottsdale, respectively.
In total we've hosted 10 events in Arizona, Northern California and Ohio since we began in 2003. We've invested in Advanced Breast Cancer Projects at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York, UCSF in San Francisco along with TGen and University Hospitals. Al is not alone in his endeavor to find a cure for the terrible disease. He has had the overwhelming support of sponsors, donors, volunteers, committee members and friends to help achieve the organization's accomplishments.
"My heartfelt thanks to each person. The Foundation cannot accomplish its mission of investing in advanced breast cancer research without everyone's continued support. I'm extremely grateful," he said.
Mountains of Hope Donates Funds to University Hospitals on Day of Foundation Milestone
100 percent of all funds donated used for advanced breast cancer research
CLEVELAND (July 2011)— The Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation will be presenting $60,000 to the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center on July 26 in order to further research for advanced breast cancer.
July 26 marks a special date for the nonprofit organization. This donation will take place on the fifth anniversary of the passing of the Foundation’s namesake, Marilyn B. Gula.
The $60,000 gift was raised at the Foundation’s fourth annual Golf for a Cure fundraising tournament and reception at the Shaker Heights Country Club in Ohio. The money raised will be presented to the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center’s “Miracle Fund.” The Miracle Fund will carry through Marilyn B. Gula’s vision to research treatment for women with advanced stage breast cancer.
Foundation Chairman and CEO, Allen Gula, is proud to honor his wife’s legacy through the life changing funds that Mountains of Hope raised at this and other prosperous events. He attributes this achievement to the many people who made this year’s Golf for a Cure a success.
“Sincerest thanks to our many sponsors, individual golfers, auction and raffle item donors, and the friends who contributed through their presence and financial support,” Gula said. “Finally, a big thank you to the many volunteers who gave so many hours of their time to ensure the high quality and professionalism of the event.”
Mountains of Hope Donates 75K to Local TGen
100 percent of all funds donated used for advanced breast cancer research
PHOENIX (July 2011)— The Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation will be donating $75,000 to Phoenix-based TGen as a result of the funds raised from their dinner event, Cookin’ for a Cure at Eddie’s House.
The third Arizona held event proved to be one of the most successful for Mountains of Hope to date, bringing in $75,000 in just one evening. Many celebrity appearances made the event an evening to remember for all guests in attendance. Company included the event’s emcee, Tara Hitchcock of Good Morning Arizona, World Series baseball player Luis Gonzalez, baseball legend Joe Garagiola and Cardinals tight end Ben Patrick.
The Mountains of Hope Foundation is eager to donate the money raised to TGen, an organization that’s not only local, but also making a profound impact on the future for women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and their families.
The people responsible for achieving such prosperous results at the Foundation’s fundraising event include; Chef Eddie Matney of Eddie’s House who graciously opened up his restaurant for the evening, the many sponsors and donors who contributed their time and money, the celebrity guests that made appearances, Kelly Hundelt who has co-chaired every Phoenix event and of course the Mountains of Hope Steering Committee who worked diligently to bring the event to the Valley.
The organization plans to host a second annual Cookin’ for a Cure event in the spring of 2012.
Cookin' for a Cure at Eddie's House Featured in Phoenix Business Journal
