Ellen Willmott
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.
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 with metastatic breast cancer. Susan G. Komen is focusing its research program on understanding the biology of metastatic breast cancer and developing ways to treat and prevent it.
The scientists featured in the crowdfunding campaign were chosen through Komen’s peer-review process based on the great promise of their work seeking to improve our understanding of how breast cancer cells metastasize to other parts of the body and investigating ways to use the immune system and targeted therapies to prevent this process of metastasis.
“Our donor community is passionate, invigorated, and vitally interested in making a unique and lasting impact on breast cancer research,” said Susan G. 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, Susan G. 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.
Matching Donations and Clinical Trials Hotline
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 Susan G. 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.
Those interested in supporting and learning more about the crowdfunded grantees are encouraged to visit BeMoreThanPink.org. ■
