The Kay Yow Cancer Fund®, in partnership with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and The V Foundation for Cancer Research, has awarded a $100,000 ovarian cancer research grant to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
Annually, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund supports a cancer research grant to an institution based in the host city of the NCAA Women’s Final Four®. This year’s $100,000 grant will be awarded to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center to continue research on imaging ovarian cancer with novel small molecule radiotracers of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1). The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is privileged to work in collaboration with The V Foundation Scientific Advisory Board to identify and review grant proposals supporting women’s cancer research.
Susan Donohoe, executive director of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, presented Dineo Khabele, M.D., and Lawrence Marnett, Ph.D., with a ceremonial check at a news conference at the Vanderbilt University Student Life Center on Jan. 21, in advance of the 2014 NCAA Women’s Final Four, to be held in Nashville, April 6 and 8.
“Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women and the most common cause of gynecologic cancer death,” Donohoe said. “The Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded a grant in each Women’s Final Four city since 2009, totaling $600,000 in women’s cancer research support. Research programs such as this one are critical as we continue to search for the cure.”
“Coach Yow was very specific in her direction that the Kay Yow Cancer Fund support research to enhance the quality of life of those individuals battling cancer and to help find a cure,” said Nora Lynn Finch, Atlantic Coast Conference Senior Associate Commissioner and President of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. “It is fitting to present a research grant to Drs. Khabele and Marnett and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in the host city of the 2014 Women’s Final Four. This research grant will continue the legacy of Coach Yow and the Fund’s mission of supporting women’s cancer research.”
About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on Dec. 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization’s namesake Kay Yow, former NC State University head women’s basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on Jan. 24, 2009. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved, and unifying people for a common cause. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund or to make a donation, please visit www.KayYow.com.
About the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is one of only two National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in Tennessee and 41 in the country to achieve this special distinction. Its 300 faculty members generate more than $140 million in annual federal research funding, ranking it among the top 10 centers in the country in competitive grant support, and its clinical program sees more than 6,000 new cancer patients each year. VICC is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a non-profit alliance of 23 of the world’s leading cancer centers dedicated to improving cancer care for patients everywhere. For more information, visit www.vicc.org.
About The V Foundation
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has funded more than $115 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Due to generous donors, the Foundation has an endowment that covers administrative expenses. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board. For more information on The V Foundation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.