PGA National Women's Cancer Awareness Days Raise $211,000 for Scripps Florida’s Cancer Research

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. - Aug. 2, 2013 - PRLog -- PGA National Women for Cancer Awareness recently presented Scripps Florida, a division of The Scripps Research Institute, with a donation of $211,000 to support scientific trainees in the Department of Cancer Biology.

The funds were raised earlier this year over six days of exciting PGA Nationalcommunity events, which is entitled PGA National Women's Cancer Awareness Days (WCAD). Launched in 2004, Women's Cancer Awareness Days bring together 1,000 men and women who aremaking a difference in the lives of those who have faced or who currently suffer from cancer.

"Due to these heroic efforts, PGA WCAD monies will now support five WCAD Postdoctoral Fellows," said John L. Cleveland, Ph.D., Professorand Chairof the Department of Cancer Biology.  "We are very grateful for the remarkable fundraising efforts and for the important and continued support of these five outstanding young investigator trainees in Cancer Biology."  

Elaine Solomon and Barbara Sedransk, Co-Chairs of the PGA National Women for Cancer Awareness group, said, "We wanted to put the money directly into cancer research and felt that Scripps Florida, a not-for-profit organization, was doing the most exciting, intensive kinds of research that can make a real difference in the lives of cancer patients and survivors... and they're doing it right here, as members in our own community."

This was the second year of fundraising to benefit cancer research programs at Scripps Florida. Thanks to such support, Dr. Cleveland is confident Scripps Florida scientists will continue to discover new drug targets and make progress toward new cancer treatments.

Planning is already under way for the 9th Annual PGA National Women's Cancer Awareness Days benefiting Scripps Florida.  Events are scheduled in January and February 2014. For more information, pleasecontact Elaine Solomon at 561-317-9121 or email eskoplovitz@hotmail.com.

About The Scripps Research Institute

The Scripps Research Institute is one of the world's largest independent, not-for-profit organizations focusing on research in the biomedical sciences. Over the past decades, Scripps Research has developed a lengthy track record of major contributions to science and health, including laying the foundation for new treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, and other diseases. The institute employs about 3,000 people on its campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, where its renowned scientists—including three Nobel laureates—work toward their next discoveries. The institute's graduate program, which awards Ph.D. degrees in biology and chemistry, ranks among the top ten of its kind in the nation. For more information, see www.scripps.edu.