Golden Retriever Foundation Pledges $500,000 to Morris Animal Foundation Canine Cancer Campaign

DENVER, May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Golden Retriever Foundation (GRF) has responded to the launch of Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign with a pledge of $500,000 over a five-year period. The organization becomes the first breed foundation or club to pledge a major gift to this project.

"Cancer is the leading cause of death among Goldens, as it is among many breeds," said David Kinghorn, GRF president. "We hope that other breed groups will follow our lead and support this important endeavor."

The Canine Cancer Campaign is an unprecedented $30 million effort to cure canine cancer within a dog's lifetime -- the next 10 to 20 years. With this gift, the Golden Retriever Foundation will become the first MAF Hero (those who give $500,000 to $999,999 to the campaign.)

"We are very excited to become involved in this cancer campaign on the ground level," Kinghorn said. "Lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma are two of the cancers that most affect Golden Retrievers. We believe the research funded through this campaign will lead to treatments for these cancers and will help to improve the health of Goldens."

"The Golden Retriever Foundation has been an excellent partner in Morris Animal Foundation's mission to improve canine health," said Dr. Patricia Olson, president/CEO of Morris Animal Foundation. "As the proud parent of a Golden named Socrates, I truly appreciate this gift. The MAF Canine Cancer Campaign will make great strides in prevention, treatment and hopefully cures for cancer, which affects half of all dogs over the age of 2."

  Media Interviews Available With:
  Patricia N. Olson, DVM, Ph.D., President/CEO, Morris Animal Foundation
  Dave Kinghorn, President, Golden Retriever Foundation

About Morris Animal Foundation: Morris Animal Foundation, established in 1948, is dedicated to funding research that protects, treats and cures companion animals and wildlife. MAF has been at the forefront of funding breakthrough research studies benefiting animals in some 100 countries, spanning all seven continents on earth. MAF has its headquarters in Denver, Colorado. The Foundation has funded more than 1,300 humane animal health studies with funds approaching $50 million. One hundred percent of all annual, unrestricted contributions support animal health studies, not administration or the cost of fundraising. For more information, call (800) 243-2345, or visit http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/.

About the Golden Retriever Foundation:

The Golden Retriever Foundation was founded by the Golden Retriever Club of America in 1997 to support research, rescue and education. The GRF, a non-profit, charitable organization is staffed entirely by volunteers. The Foundation has five funds serving the health and well-being of the Golden population: the Zeke Cancer Research Fund which finances canine cancer research at major universities and cancer centers; the General Fund which supports the full range of Foundation grants including non-cancer health studies and operating expenses; the Rescue Fund which assists volunteer Golden Retriever Rescue organizations to care for and find homes for displaced Goldens; the April Fund which defrays extraordinary veterinary expenses incurred by individual Rescue dogs; and the Rachel Page Elliott Educational Fund which underwrites public education projects concerning Golden Retrievers and responsible pet ownership. To date, more than $1 million in grants have been awarded. For further information visit: http://www.goldenretrieverfoundation.org/.

  Media Contacts:
  Morris Animal Foundation: Heidi Jeter, Director of Communications
  hjeter@morrisanimalfoundation.org, 303-708-3404

  Golden Retriever Foundation: Barbara Zelechoski, Secretary-Treasurer
  info@goldenretrieverfoundation.org, 402-289-4136