Hale Rescue Rewards Partner Sponsoring Cancer Drive For Dogs

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 2010 Holiday Pet Donations and Supplies Drive

"1 out of 3 dogs will get cancer and 50% of those will die of cancer."

This is an unknown, yet staggering fact for those of us who consider our pets a part of our family. The team at Pets, Plants and Polish recently experienced canine cancer first-hand in our own households. Susan lost both her dogs (Mondo and Angel) to cancer and Kathy’s dog (Oreo-her recent rescue dog from AACORP) is now a cancer survivor. Therefore, we are pleased to include the National Canine Cancer Foundation’s "We Are the Cure" campaign as one of the beneficiaries of our 2010 Holiday Donations and Pet Supplies Drive.

The National Canine Cancer Foundation is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. They are a passionate team conducting life-altering research into treatments and cures to benefit all dogs fighting for their lives because of cancer. They recently completed the mapping of the entire Genome Sequence of the dog which makes finding a cure closer than ever. Another ongoing initiative in the area of canine cancer was highlighted in an August 26, 2010, Arizona Republic article which discussed the partnership between Phoenix-based T-Gen (Translation Genomics Research Institute) and Michigan-based Van Andel Research Institute to create the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium to study the genetic links and cancers in specific breeds of dogs with high disease rates including:

  •  Golden Retrievers with a 65%-75% chance of dying from cancer.
  •  Greyhounds are more likely than most dogs to contract and die of bone cancer.
  •  Clumber Spaniels suffer a high rate (about 50%) of soft-tissue cancer.

The collection of dog DNA is easy and harmless…just a little slobber is needed. Veterinarians across the country are assisting the CHCC in their effort to collect DNA samples from their canine patients. This research reaches beyond our animal friends and gives us a chance to save our own lives and the lives of our mothers, fathers, siblings, children, and friends. Dogs and humans suffer the same types of cancers. Some forms of cancer that are rare in humans are common in certain breeds of dogs, so there is much hope about the findings for rare human cancers through their research on canines. "There is a lot to be gained from this research," said Jennifer Arthur, a radiation oncologist at Arizona Veterinary Specialists. "We could potentially use the data gained to improve the drugs we use and to get them on the market for humans sooner." In general, all the research points to the fact that the findings and treatments for canine cancer will help in the treatment and cure of cancer in humans.

Please send a donation made payable to National Canine Cancer Foundation, Inc" to Pets, Plants & Polish, 8485 E. McDonald Drive, Box 331, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85250. Thank you.