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A Research Trial Opportunity for Canine Cancer
From the website:

http://www.vai.org/Research/Labs/Can...logy/chcc.aspx

To study canine cancer, we have established a Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium (CHCC). The CHCC will take advantage of new genetic resources and technologies that have been developed at Van Andel Research Institute to develop genetic screens, diagnostic tests, and treatments for hereditary canine cancers as well as gain insight into the biology of human disease. We will analyze collected DNA and RNA samples from dogs for genetic patterns that are associated with this disease. These patterns may form the basis of genetic tests that can tell us whether a particular dog is a carrier of a defective gene that will cause cancer. Also, these studies may provide important clues about cancer in people.
How can you help?
The CHCC is soliciting the assistance of dog owners to help us collect blood and tumor samples for our research.
If your dog is afflicted with cancer and you would like to donate samples, please contact us at 616-234-5569 (phone) or 616-234-5795 (fax) or send us an email (CHCC@vai.org).
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This link was sent to me this weekend and I was ready to send them a sample of Barkley's blood. Unfortunately, in reviewing the owner consent forms on the website I noticed they want AKC information and our Barkley is a rescue, so we won't be able to help the cause.

EDIT: Just got an email from the organization--any dog with cancer can participate, even mixed breeds, as long as the dog has one of these cancers:
1) Hemangiosarcoma
2) Lymphoma
3) Osteosarcoma
4) Malignant histiocytosis
5) Melanoma of the mouth or toe

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thanks for posting that.
I think there's also a link on the GRCA for a study that's specific to goldens, but I could be wrong. I'll try to find it later.

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Gibson's Golden Girl, CD, CGC, TDI (born 3-20-1997), a.k.a. "Tiny"
Gibson's Golden Guy, CD, CGC, TDI (born 1-31-1998), a.k.a. "Toby"
and
CH Rosewood Little Giant, UD RA VCX WC CGC FFX-OG (born 3-10-2007), also U-CH U-CDX U-JJ U-RO1 U-HIT a.k.a. "Tito" (the Tito Monster)

Wish I still had Max, I would love to help, and that is in my state.

Ann

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Ann
UACH Casino Farm's Belle Air MXP MJP2 "Belle" (blk lab 7 yrs)
UJJ Casino Farm's Reddi Teddi "Teddi" (GR 3 yrs)
UJJ The Captain's Licker's Quicker WC "Quinn" (blk lab 10 mons)
Yet To Be Named "Baby Hootie" (tba sometime in September)
Always in my Heart - Maxine 12/26/96-10/11/09 Queen of the World!

Here's what I was thinking of. Not quite the same, but very worthwhile:

http://www.grca.org/health/database.html

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Gibson's Golden Girl, CD, CGC, TDI (born 3-20-1997), a.k.a. "Tiny"
Gibson's Golden Guy, CD, CGC, TDI (born 1-31-1998), a.k.a. "Toby"
and
CH Rosewood Little Giant, UD RA VCX WC CGC FFX-OG (born 3-10-2007), also U-CH U-CDX U-JJ U-RO1 U-HIT a.k.a. "Tito" (the Tito Monster)

Thanks for the link, and you are right, very worthwhile.

While on the GRCA site I pulled up this link to hemangiosarcoma:
http://www.grca.org/pdf/health/hemangio.pdf
Very informative and it addressed the issue of preventative ultrasounds for this disease.

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Anne, that is a phenomenal article. Everyone should read it.

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Gibson's Golden Girl, CD, CGC, TDI (born 3-20-1997), a.k.a. "Tiny"
Gibson's Golden Guy, CD, CGC, TDI (born 1-31-1998), a.k.a. "Toby"
and
CH Rosewood Little Giant, UD RA VCX WC CGC FFX-OG (born 3-10-2007), also U-CH U-CDX U-JJ U-RO1 U-HIT a.k.a. "Tito" (the Tito Monster)

Spencer died of malignant Histiocytosis and Sunka currently is battling Osteosarcoma. The need for this study is critical. Thank you for posting this.

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Janis and 'da boyz"

Murphy
Sampson
Sunka

Spencer....so sadly missed

How is Sunka doing?

Are you thinking of participating?

I am going to discuss this study with our vet and if he feels we can give a blood sample without compromising Barkley's blood count I'm going to do it. This can be Barkley's legacy to help research possible treatments for these cancers.

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I wish I had seen this article those first few days. It would have answered a lot of questions swirling in my head during those frightening days. I hate this disease.

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It behooves all golden owners to note in that terrific article that the singular item that has been shown to reduce the incidence of cancer in goldens is to keep them slim and trim and to have puppies grow slowly!!!!! Nothing makes me crazier than to see a golden that looks like a coffee table, and when you consider the damage that extra weight does to joints and organs, it is not a surprise that being overweight contributes to disease. Thanks for posting that link, Dallas Gold, and we've still got fingers crossed for your boy....

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Golden retrievers think life is a party thrown especially for them