Tulane Cancer Center Receives $100K Grant from the Kay Yow Cancer Fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Megan Smith
919.460.6477
megan.smith@kayyow.com

Keith Brannon
504.862.878
kbrannon@tulane.edu

TULANE CANCER CENTER RECEIVES $100K GRANT FROM THE KAY YOW CANCER FUND

New Orleans (Feb. 27, 2013) - 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 women's lung cancer research grant to the Tulane Cancer Center.

Annually, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund supports a cancer research based grant in the host city of the NCAA Women's Final Four. The $100,000 grant will be awarded to the Tulane Cancer Center to continue research on the impact of mobile elements on genetic instability in lung cancer. 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 Dr. Victoria Belancio with a ceremonial check at a news conference at the Louisiana Cancer Research Center on Feb. 27, 40 days in advance of the 2013 NCAA Women's Final Four, to be held in New Orleans, April 7 and 9.

"Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women, and we are pleased to support Dr. Belancio and her research team's efforts," Donohoe said. "We are also proud to continue to uphold Kay's wishes of making an impact at the site of the NCAA Women's Final Four each year. Research programs such as this one are critical in order to find a cure."

"Coach Yow was very specific in her direction that the Fund support research - research to help find a cure and research to improve the health and quality of life of cancer patients. Additionally, she established the Fund to assist underserved individuals in their journeys with the disease," 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 Dr. Belancio and the Tulane Cancer Center in the host city of the 2013 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 December 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 January 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 http://www.kayyow.com/.

About the Tulane Cancer Center
The Tulane Cancer Center's mission is to provide innovative cancer care to patients, to educate the cancer specialists of today and tomorrow and to carry out the pioneering research necessary to discover new treatments for cancer and related diseases. The Tulane Cancer Center is home to approximately 130 cancer faculty, including physicians specializing in all areas of cancer care, as well as dozens of laboratory scientists who study cancer at the molecular level and use the data obtained, often in collaboration with the Center's clinicians, to develop a better understanding of cancer and how to cure it. The Center's most active translational research groups investigate cancer genetics, racial disparities in cancer incidence and mortality, circadian rhythm disruption's link to cancer risk and cancer drug discovery.

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 and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has raised more than $100 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. Administrative and fundraising expenses are paid by the Foundation's endowment. The Foundation awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board.

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