Representatives from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and 15 other local breast cancer organizations recently received checks representing proceeds of the 2013 Long Island 2 Day Walk to Fight Breast Cancer
Cold Spring Harbor, NY — Representatives from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and 15 other local breast cancer organizations recently received checks representing proceeds of the 2013 Long Island 2 Day Walk to Fight Breast Cancer. Nearly 400 walkers and an equal number of volunteers participated in the 10th annual LI2DAY Walk, which raised over $550,000 and brought LI2DAY’s fundraising total to over $5 million. Since the Walk started in 2004, CSHL has received over a quarter of a million dollars for breast cancer research from LI2DAY.
The $22,500 that CSHL received this year from LI2DAY will support the research of cancer scientist Mikala Egeblad, Ph.D., who studies the mechanisms by which non-cancer cells support tumor growth, resistance to chemotherapy, and metastasis in breast cancer. With Scott Powers, Ph.D. at CSHL, Dr. Egeblad and her group are investigating how cancer cells alter fibroblasts—a cell type that regulates the extracellular matrix and the immune response to promote tumor growth and metastasis.
“We have identified promising new targets, which can potentially be inhibited by therapies that will block the signaling between cancer cells and fibroblasts and improve outcomes of patients with breast cancer,” said Dr. Egeblad. “We are grateful to LI2DAY, which is helping to make this research possible.”
In addition to research at CSHL, LI2DAY awards six $2,500 scholarships to Long Island high school seniors with a parent or guardian with breast cancer. Much of the funding raised by LI2DAY supports essential outreach services and education programs for women and their families affected by breast cancer. Some of the many services provided by the LI2DAY-funded breast cancer coalitions throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties include meals, transportation, wigs, and financial support for medical expenses, rent and utility bills, housecleaning and wellness services.
LI2DAY accepts funding throughout the year, and registration for the 2014 Walk will open in October. Visit www.li2daywalk.org for more information.
Written by: Communications Department | publicaffairs@cshl.edu | 516-367-8455