March 15, 2013
March 14th, 2013 (Portland, Oregon) – Susan G. Komen for the Cure is proud to announce that its regional and national organization has exceeded the $10 million milestone in total funds awarded to Oregon Health & Science University in support of crucial breast cancer research and other projects to further Komen’s mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever. This cumulative commitment represents Komen’s single largest investment in Oregon. Komen’s Research Program plays an essential role in energizing science to pursue new treatments and potential cures. The most recent investment of $6.5 million comes via a Komen Promise Grant. Promise grants support the rapid translation of scientific discoveries into new or enhanced treatments with the highest potential to reduce breast cancer incidence or mortality. Lisa M. Coussens, Ph.D., Hildegard Lamfrom Chair in Basic Science, Professor and Chair of the OHSU the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Associate Director of Basic Research for the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, along with two other collaborators, is the recipient of the grant, Komen’s most prestigious grant award. Her project aims to establish whether immune and collagen status is correlated with density-associated breast cancer risk. OHSU will celebrate this remarkable philanthropic milestone of support at a luncheon honoring Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Tuesday, March 19th. Media are invited to attend and cover the event. Lisa Coussens, Ph.D, will serve as the event’s keynote speaker; OHSU President Joe Robertson, JR, M.D., M.B.A, and OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Director Brian Druker, M.D., will also be in attendance alongside major donors and other key stakeholders and supporters of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and OHSU. OHSU Investigator Amount Awarded Lisa Coussens $6,500,000 Lisa Coussens $600,000 Joe Gray $225,000 Michelle Berlin $22,500 Elizabeth Steiner $30,000 Marjorie McGee $39,874 Marjorie McGee $30,000 Elizabeth Steiner $40,000 Elizabeth Steiner $100,332 Rosalie Sears $299,983 Elizabeth Steiner $57,875 Kerri Winters $249,700 Marie Dahlstrom $5,000 Elizabeth Steiner $2,500 Rosalie Sears $250,000 Stefan Lanker $250,000 Lee Rickords $30,000 Rural Health Conference $1,500 Xiangshu Xiao $599,996 Megan Troxell $449,850 Lisa Domenico $500,000 Total: $10,284,110 Event information is as follows: Date: Tuesday, March 19th Time: Noon-1pm Location: OHSU Marquam Hill Campus, BICC Library Conference Center First Floor - Biomedical Information Communication Center 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland Any media interested in attending or securing one-on-one interviews with Lisa Coussens, Joe Robertson or Brian Druker should contact Elisa Williams at 503 494-4530 or via email at [email protected].
