Susan G. Komen for the Cure Investing Nearly $7.5 Million into Washington’s Economy for Research and Community Programs

University of Washington (UW) researchers will see if they can develop an imaging-based test to determine whether a woman is responding to treatment and allowing doctors to change to more effective therapies quickly if a current therapy is not effective,  with research funding announced today by Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization.

The $600,000 grant is part of a $59 million portfolio of research grants that Komen for the Cure is awarding in 2010 to scientists worldwide to find the cures for breast cancer and to end the disease.

“We’ve made huge progress in 30 years against early-stage breast cancer, and we have a tremendous urgency to develop more effective treatments that enhance the quality of life for people with breast cancer,” said Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  “Research like this may help us deliver better, more effective treatment for aggressive cancers that are so serious and difficult.”

If successful, UW researchers may help reduce breast cancer deaths  by reducing the number of patients who are subjected to treatment that is not effective against their particular cancer. 

“Komen’s infusion of millions of dollars into research projects means that promising research that is designed to treat and ultimately eradicate breast cancer will continue,” said Eric Winer, M.D., Komen’s chief scientific advisor.

Komen by the Numbers in Washington:

• Since 1991, Komen has awarded more than $2.8 million in research in Washington, part of the $450 million that Komen has invested in global research since it was founded in 1982.

• Additionally, the three Komen Affiliates that serve Washington invested more than $6.6 million in their local communities last year for programs for early detection and treatment, breast health education and outreach.

• Nationwide, Komen Affiliates invested a total of $130 million in their local communities last year. During the past 28 years, Komen has invested more than $900 million to community education and support programs worldwide.

Below is the local institution, the researcher and the projects Komen is funding this year, pending agreements:

University of Washington at Seattle
*Hannah Linden, $599,954 - Pharmacodynamic and Tissue Measures of Early Breast Cancer Endocrine Sensitivity 

             
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, we have invested more than $1.5 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.