Funding veterinary medicine advances cancer treatments of human patients

Oakland County, Michigan July 28, 2011 -- The study of Cancers in companion animals such as dogs and cats provides an opportunity as models for human cancer research and treatment. This includes the study of therapeutics. Dogs and cats develop spontaneous cancers with behaviors similar to humans, thus providing us with a population that can provide critical information and insight into these diseases. The genetic changes that occur in dogs diagnosed with certain cancers of the blood and bone marrow, including chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), are virtually identical to genetic abnormalities in humans diagnosed with the same cancers.
The advantages of using companion animals as models for human cancer include: high incidence rates of some cancers, larger body size, similar responses to cytotoxic agents and external beam radiation therapy, and shorter overall lifespan.
In a nutshell, those are a few of the reasons that funding of veterinary medicine has a direct correlation to the advancement of treatments for human patients.
Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is a Veterinary Hospital located in Oakland County Michigan. They have a non-profit organization called TEAR Foundation. It stands for The Emergency Animal Relief Foundation. It has a number of goals. They are as follows:

TEAR's main objectives:

* Our primary mission is to provide charitable funding for emergency medical care for sick and injured animals brought in by “Good Samaritans”
* Provide support to qualified clients in need of financial assistance by providing emergency grants to help supplement the cost of care
* Sponsor clinic research for the advancement of veterinary medicine
* Enhance community education of veterinary medicine

Their website is located at http://www.ovrs.com/tear/index.php

I am not a member of the foundation. My family had a dog named Bugaboo and we were fortunate enough to find these amazing people when she was diagnosed with lymphoma at 4 years old. Canine Lymphoma is fatal with an average life expectancy of 6 - 18 months even when treated. Dr Sauerbrey, Dr. Bannink and the OVRS staff gave us 39 wonderful months and we would like to give back to their charity for all their love and kindness.

We went out and purchased a Childs Power Escalade and proceeded to fill it with over two thousand dollars in merchandise that we got at "The Detroit Shoppe" at Somerset Mall. We are selling raffle tickets for $20.00 each and on Oct 14th 2011 at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham the winning ticket will be drawn at the TEAR Silent Auction. One ticket takes it all but you need not be present to win. 100% of the tickets sales will go to this fine charity. You can view the items that are in the basket at:
http://www.ovrs.com/tear/raffle.php
It is called "The Bugaboo Whitt Memorial Raffle. The Best of Detroit".
We will also have a table at the silent auction that will have "The Best of Michigan" items for auction. A wine tour for 6, a two night stay at Mission Point Mackinac, Rounds of golf at "The Jewel" Mackinac....and much more. I would like to extend an invitation to all whose lives have been changed forever by Cancer, whether human or animal, to purchase a ticket or make a donation. Let's get involved and find the cure for cancer through whatever channels are available.

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) is a specialty veterinary hospital located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. At OVRS we strive to provide the best veterinary pet care possible, to practice veterinary medicine with compassion, and to demonstrate consideration for our clients' needs and desires. We find it especially rewarding to practice veterinary medicine as a team and to deliver consistent high-quality veterinary health care to our patients. For the convenience of our clients and the well being of our patients, our dedicated team of specialists and emergency staff are available 24 hours everyday of the year.

OVRS
1400 Old South Telegraph Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
(248) 334 - 6877
Contacts:
Mr Jim Thompson
Mrs Staci Brodeur
http://www.ovrs.com/

This release was published on openPR.