Fighting cancer in dogs

One in four dogs will die of cancer, according to the Morris Animal Foundation.

But within the equivalent of a dog’s lifetime of 10 to 20 years, the foundation intends to find cures for cancer in dogs. Cancer is ranked the number one disease of concern among owners.

In April, the MAF officially kicked off the Canine Cancer Campaign, a large-scale, $30 million initiative involving multiple institutions as well as independent scientists and researchers from around the globe.

“The time could not be better as the canine genome has been sequenced, new genetic tools are available that can greatly advance this work, and scientists are ready and willing to work together for this noble effort,” said Dr. Patricia Olson, the foundation’s president and chief executive officer.

“What is now needed is the funding to sustain this effort, and we believe this, too, is possible,” she said.

The MAF will take the lead role in securing financial contributions and managing research grants to help fund the initiative. Headquartered in Denver, the foundation has funded more than 100 cancer studies in dogs with funds approaching $7 million since its establishment in 1948.

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