Let's reach beyond the bluest skies, to the brightest
stars, on behalf of the University of Guelph's Smiling
Blue Skies Cancer Fund.
The
University of Guelph's Pet Trust, is a fund devoted to providing
financial assistance for the advancement of health, health care, and
quality of life, for companion animals. More than 120 studies into
naturally occurring diseases affecting companion animals, have been
carried out with Pet Trust funds. Pet Trust is overseen by an
independent Board of Trustees, and is administered by the Dean of the
Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). To date, Pet Trust funds have been
used for many special projects, including, investigations into common
health problems, the development of new diagnostics and therapeutic
techniques, studies involving the human-animal bond and animal behaviour,
and the upgrading of the Small Animal Clinic's Intensive Care Unit. Receipts
for tax credit purposes, are issued for all contributions to OVC's
programmes, under the University of Guelph's charitable status number.
Cancer is the most frequent cause of death in dogs. This is a truly
frightening thought. In an independent survey conducted by the Golden
Retriever Club of America, it was determined that over sixty per cent of
Goldens die from cancer. As one breeder pointed out, if you have Golden
Retrievers, you have had, have now, or will have a Golden with cancer.
It is a burden that we all share. In loving our dogs, whether pure
breeds or mixed breeds, we want the very best for them, in health, and
in sickness.
Every dollar donated to The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund supports OVC's quest to find more and better ways to deal with and understand
this terrible disease. Pet Trust's aim is to spend as much money as
possible each year, so that they are having the maximum impact and doing
the most work possible. We have been told, that in sharing Blues' story,
we have helped to raise awareness of Pet Trust and OVC's fight against
cancer. Thanks to you, we are making a difference.
It has been said, that if we could hang all of our sorrows on pegs, and
were allowed to choose those we liked best, every one of us would take
back their own, for all the rest would seem even more difficult to bear.
Please help us to help our animal companions, and change the punch line
of the cruel joke we call Cancer.
The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund is in loving memory of our beautiful
Blues Man, who taught us the true meaning of being a show dog. He
showed us how to live, love, laugh, and learn.
Please send your donations to: "The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund"
Attention: Karen Tomchick
Alumni Affairs and Development Department
OVC Pet Trust
c/o Alumni House
University of Guelph
Guelph ON N1G 2W1
Please make sure to clearly indicate on your cheque, that your donation is
for The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund. VISA and MasterCard are also accepted, and there is the
additional option of setting up a monthly bank account debit or monthly
credit card charge for up to one year.
If you would like to honour someone and/or a companion animal, by making
a donation to The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund, please send your
donation, along with information about the receiving individual or
family (in whose honour or memory the donation is being made, your name
and address, and the address of the receiving individual or family).
All donations will be acknowledged by a receipt for tax credit purposes
and a very special limited edition card, with inscription.
If you have questions or require more information about Pet Trust,
please contact:
Karen Tomchick;
(519) 824-4120; Extension 54431
pettrust@ovc.uoguelph.ca
Stephen Woeller, Director of Advancement for OVC, and Riley B. King, have work to do.
Dean Elizabeth Stone, Suzi, and Karen Stone
SMILING BLUE SKIES ® IS FUNDING THE VERY FIRST
COMPANION ANIMAL CANCER REGISTRY IN NORTH AMERICA
Researchers at OVC are establishing a population-based
companion animal cancer registry. The registry project
will begin as a pilot project focusing on all cancers
within the dog and cat population in the city of Guelph
(but will be expanded over time!!). Cancer registries
are an integral part of human cancer research. However,
for companion animals, such registries do not exist in
North America. Population-based cancer registries enable
epidemiologists to study the occurrence of cancer in the
population and to make statements when, where and why
the occurrence of cancer is more or less likely in the
population. This is a huge step forward and we could not
do this without your continued support.
This is just one more way, that together, we are taking
a bite out of cancer,
on behalf of the precious pets and people in our lives.
Here are three ways, our
dogs are benefiting, due to your continued support of
The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund.
Treatment of Canine Lymphoma: Lymphoma is one of
the most common forms of malignant cancer in dogs.
A number of treatment protocols have been developed
using anti-cancer drugs and radiation therapy, but
there is little evidence to support using one
protocol over another. The goal of this
retrospective study, is to determine the different
response times, prognostic factors and side effects
associated with the different treatment protocols.
Results should help doctors determine which
treatment to give and how to modify treatment when
side effects are encountered.
Renewal of Funds: Gene Profiling of Canine
Lymphosarcoma: Lymphosarcoma, a serious cancer of
the immune system, is one of the most common forms
of cancer in dogs. Patients generally respond well
to chemotherapy. However, the response of an
individual dog's cancer to a given treatment is
unpredictable, suggesting the molecular
characteristics of the disease are quite variable.
The goal of this ongoing study, is to identify
genetic markers that could be used to better predict
prognosis and response to therapy. This would help
veterinarians and clients make more informed choices
about drug protocols.
Evaluating Low Dose Chemotherapy: Metronomic
chemotherapy is a new approach to cancer treatment
in which drugs are administered in lower doses but
more frequently than in traditional therapy. The
approach is less toxic and much less draining
physically and emotionally, and it may also prolong
survival times. This study will employ metronomic
chemotherapy in the treatment of Hemangiosarcoma, an
aggressive cancer originating in the blood vessels
of organs such as the spleen, heart, liver, and
lungs. Metronomic chemotherapy inhibits the growth
of new blood vessels rather than indirectly
attacking the tumour through massive doses of toxic
drugs. Therefore, it may prove more effective than
traditional treatments, that produce severe side
effects with little overall benefit in terms of
remission or survival rates.
Here are other
ways, your support has helped us take a bite out of
canine cancer:
The teaching hospital is now
able to offer expanded services in cancer treatment for companion
animals because of upgrades to the radiation therapy unit, made
possible by support from Pet Trust. For pets with cancer,
radiation therapy can help to ease pain, relieve cancer symptoms,
and curtail the spread of the disease.
Pet Trust Study for Winter 2004: Anti-cancer chemotherapy
often results in a lowering of blood platelets, which can cause
spontaneous bleeding. This side effect limits the use of some
anti-cancer drugs. The purpose of this study is to test
whether lithium carbonate, an inexpensive drug, can protect dogs
against developing low platelet numbers when receiving anti-cancer
drugs known to cause low platelets.
Pet Trust Study for Winter 2004: Osteosarcoma is the most
common bone tumour in dogs. This is an ongoing Pet Trust
study, initially funded in the fall of 2003 funding competition.
The study is investigating whether chemotherapy prior to surgery
(limb amputation) improves the survival time for dogs with
osteosarcoma.
As of August 8,
2008, The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund,
has raised over $250,000.00 for cancer treatment and research,
and the building of Canada's first cancer centre for companion
animals.
Click here to visit the OVC Pet Trust Supportive Care
http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/pettrust/supportivecare.shtml
In
1998, Rochelle Lesser's Golden Retriever, Oliver, was diagnosed with
lymphoma. Sadly, the cancer had been discovered at a very late stage of the
disease, and he failed to respond to the chemotherapy. So, in the most
unselfish of acts, Ollie was allowed to take that final journey to the furry
playground of angels.
That is when Rochelle began her own education process, learning that the
problem is huge, with one in three developing cancer, and between 50 to 60%
of those diagnosed dying of their disease. Similarly, four million new
canine cancer diagnoses are made annually, affecting both young and old.
Renowned veterinarian and author, Dr. Marty Becker, writes that “Our pets
lend a touch of grace to our lives. They teach us the real meaning of
unconditional love and bring out the kindest and most generous impulses of
humanity.”
As we endeavor to extend that purest of relationships, we are embracing the
latest in cancer treatment regimens. Yet, for many, the costs are beyond
their means. And, for assistance dog partners on limited incomes and whose
very survival depends on their canine's continued good health, a diagnosis
of cancer can translate into a death sentence for their beloved helpers.
The Land of Pure Gold Foundation, like The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund,
through the University of Guelph's Pet Trust Fund (University of Guelph
Veterinary Teaching College and Hospital), is bringing awareness to the
critical area of canine cancer and of the continuing advances being made in
veterinary oncology.
The Land of Pure Gold Foundation has been created, to help with treatment
costs for assistance dog handlers in the United States and CANADA, and to
aid in cancer research, that focuses on comparative oncology, the study of
cancers that occur similarly, in dogs and humans.
Explore Rochelle's 275+ selection of dog inspired apparel, journals, cards,
housewares, and gifts. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the proceeds, will fund cancer
treatment for service dogs diagnosed with cancer.
ALL ARTIST WORKS AND SERVICES HAVE BEEN DONATED TO THIS CAUSE, including
selected designs and photographs from Suzi Beber, including some that are
showcased on The Smiling Blue Skies web site, as well as special designs
donated for this very special cause. Come see Miracles with Paws, Awakening
the Soul, Knowlish the Whippet, and Mr. Shmoosh Face, and help us to help
those who depend on their beloved service dogs.
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MELISSA TOPPER
HAS BEEN A GREAT SUPPORTER OF OVC'S PET TRUST
PROGRAMME
When Melissa Topper,
a Grade 5 student from Orono, Ontario, needed to
choose a topic for a speech to be presented to her
classmates, she decided talk about her friend Toby,
a Golden Retriever who had died of spinal cancer at
only two years of age, as well as Pet Trust's role
in advancing animal health. Melissa has also been a
financial supporter of Pet Trust. She suggested to
an entrepreneur, that they develop an aromatherapy
spray for dogs. The spray, called “Toby” after her
Golden Retriever, has been sold through veterinary
offices and some Valu stores in Ontario. $1 from the
sale bottle of spray is donated to Pet Trust.
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SUPPORTER SHARES PET TRUST MESSAGE
Dr. Mary Waddell and her husband
Tom are long-time Pet Trust supporters. Here, she shares her
personal story about the recent loss of her dog Streak. An
excerpt from this story was also published in the Jan/Feb 2004
issue of DOGsport magazine.
One of my best friends died recently. It was unexpected and has
been, personally, quite a devastating experience. He was young,
handsome, athletic and lots of fun to be with. He had a
mischievous streak about him. I loved the time we spent
together, and am feeling quite lost without him here by my side.
I wasn't ready to say goodbye. His name was Streak, and he was
my seven year-old golden retriever who has a= strangle-hold on
my heart still. He died from complications from a
Hemangiosarcoma that bled. Streak was our third dog to die from
cancer, our second golden in less than two years to die from a
Hemangiosarcoma. Our first golden with cancer was Riley, who, at
2.5 years of age was diagnosed with Lymphoma. She was treated at
OVC, receiving chemotherapy, and then radiation as part of a
clinical trial. Her disease went into remission for 21 months
before she relapsed and subsequently died. Our second golden,
Sarah, had cancer twice, once at five years of age, a low grade
mast cell tumour that required surgery, and then at 11 years of
age, when she died from Hemangiosarcoma.
Like many people, we didn't know Pet Trust existed until the
veterinary oncologist told us about a clinical trial funded by
Pet Trust in which Riley was able to participate. I have no
doubt in my mind that Riley's participation in that study
exposed her to treatment that put her cancer into remission for
nearly two years, during which time her quality of life was
excellent. It allowed us additional time with her, and many
wonderful memories. There is no government agency that funds
companion animal research. The only avenue for veterinary
researchers at OVC to access much needed funds to support
this essential work is through Pet Trust. I intended to write
this article seven years ago, after Riley's death. But the pain
of her loss has stayed with me for such a long time. Streak's
illness and death has been equally difficult, but has reminded
me of just how far veterinary medicine has come, and how much
more they could do if they had the financial means to fund
research into companion animal health.
My husband and I have been Pet Trust supporters since our
experience with the clinical trial that Riley participated in
which was funded by Pet Trust. We know from personal experience
that the research funded by Pet Trust, is, in very tangible
ways, benefiting our companion animals. The wellbeing of our
companion animals depends on continued financial support of the
type of research supported by Pet Trust.
- Dr. Mary Waddell |
