ARM Foundation expects to reach fundraising goal of $100,000
August 15, 2012
ARMed with a new venue and a new president, the Anne Rita
Monahan (ARM) Foundation is poised this year to reach its original
fundraising goal of $100,000 for ovarian cancer research at the
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
The 4th annual Tea for Teal, a traditional high English tea, will
be from 2-5 p.m. Sept. 29 at Scottsdale's DoubleTree Resort by
Hilton, 5401 N. Scottsdale Road. This is the first year the event
is being held at the DoubleTree.
"ARM has raised $75,000 for TGen through Tea for Teal, and this
year we hope to surpass our original goal of $100,000 for TGen
research in memory of our beloved Anne Rita Monahan," said Jennifer
Graves, recently named President of the ARM Foundation.
Anne Rita Monahan of Phoenix, a heroic ovarian cancer fighter,
established the ARM Foundation in 2007. Until her passing in 2009,
following a 20-year battle with this disease, Monahan urged women
to "ARM yourself against ovarian cancer." Just as pink is the color
representing the fight against breast cancer, teal is the color
that represents the fight against ovarian cancer. Read about Anne
Rita Monahan at: http://AnneRitaMonahan.org/annesstory.
All proceeds from Tea for Teal will benefit research led by Dr.
Heather Cunliffe, Head of TGen's Breast and Ovarian Cancer Unit,
whose team of scientists seek to develop reliable tests in 3 areas
of clinical unmet need:
- Screening for earlier detection, when ovarian cancer is most curable.
- At first diagnosis, quickly identifying patients whose disease is predicted to resist standard-of-care therapy and require alternative treatment options.
- Identifying new vulnerabilities in all drug-resistant forms of ovarian cancer that can be exploited with targeted therapy.
"Ovarian Cancer is the most lethal of all gynecologic
malignancies, with no improvement in patient survival in the past
30 years. A major impediment to clinical management is the
persistence or rapid emergence of drug-resistant disease," Dr.
Cunliffe explained. "This study, funded by the generosity of the
ARM Foundation, proposes to define and overcome drug resistance by
using leading-edge genomic research."
Tea for Teal includes a champagne reception, a silent auction, a
purse auction, raffle, and fashion marketplace. The full English
tea service includes an assortment of finger sandwiches, fresh
baked scones, and petite desserts.
Individual tickets for the tea are $60; a table for 10 is $500. To
register, please visit http://tea4teal.eventbrite.com.
In addition, the ARM Foundation is seeking applications from
Undergraduate and Graduate students for its new scholarship
program. The Anne Rita Monahan Foundation Scholarship has been
established to provide financial assistance and to encourage
training towards a career in cancer-related research, particularly
(but not limited to) research leading to improved healthcare for
ovarian cancer patients. Applications are being accepted
through August 31 and can be downloaded at
http://AnneRitaMonahan.org.
Common signs of ovarian cancer:
- Difficulty with eating or feeling full quickly
- Urinary symptoms "urgency or frequency"
- Pressure or pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back or legs
- A swollen or bloated abdomen
Less common symptoms:
- Nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation or diarrhea
- Excessive fatigue continually
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual vaginal bleeding (heavy periods, bleeding after menopause)
What to do:
Women who experience these symptoms almost daily for more than a
few weeks should see their gynecologist. They should also ask their
doctor about the CA-125 blood test and ask to explore ultrasound
options.
About The Anne Rita Monahan (ARM) Foundation
The ARM Foundation was established by its namesake, a heroic
ovarian cancer fighter, to pursue her vision of warning other women
against the disease. Because the disease is often difficult to
detect, The Anne Rita Monahan Foundation is dedicated to educating
and raising awareness of these signs and symptoms so that early
detection will increase and instances of misdiagnosis will
decrease. The Foundation also raises finances to help fund the
discovery of an effective, reliable screening tool that will help
detect this type of cancer early and give women the best
opportunity for full remission. The ARM Foundation marches towards
its mission to eradicate ovarian cancer through outreach and
educational programs to both the public and the medical community.
For more information, visit: http://AnneRitaMonahan.org.
About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a
Phoenix-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. For more
information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contacts:
Jennifer Graves, President
The ARM Foundation
480-444-8964
[email protected]
Rachel Brockway, Event Chair, Tea for Teal
The ARM Foundation
602-561-1707
[email protected]
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
