Blog
Archive for the ‘prostate cancer early detection’ Category
Early Cancer Detection on Social: #CanaryChallenge Photo Contest Highlights
August 21, 2013
In July, Canary Foundation launched a social media photo contest designed to get Canary Challenge cyclists psyched about about the ride, their training, and raising funds for early cancer detection research. Over the last two months, we’ve received over 200 photos from excited riders showing off bikes, scenic views, and fundraising activities. Submissions poured in on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the #CanaryChallenge hashtag, illustrating the collective excitement and buzz generated on social media networks.
You can view the full photo gallery of user submissions on our custom Facebook tab, but we’ve chosen some recently uploaded images to demonstrate some examples of the many phenomenal photos posted so far:
Some of the prizes given out to date include a GoPro camera, a Vanderkitten T Shirt, Canary “Cancer Sucks” socks, and Canary Challenge sunblock sticks. In the coming weeks, we’re giving away another GoPro Camera, and an incredible Castelli Wilier Triestina Granturismo Track Jacket, generously donated by our partners at Vanderkitten Women’s Cycling. It’s not too late to throw your hat (or photo) in the ring! Submit your photo using #CanaryChallenge on social media networks for a chance to snag one of these incredible prizes!
Early Cancer Detection Fundraising: How to Raise $400 in 5 Days
August 13, 2013
It’s six weeks until the Canary Challenge and you haven’t raised the $400 minimum. You still have plenty of time but you have to get busy and start reaching out to your network. Here’s an easy way to raise $400 in 5 days. 5 days!
Day 1: Donate $50 to yourself. $50
Day 2: Ask your housemate/spouse/partner to donate $50 $100
Day 3: Ask two relatives to donate $50 each $200
Day 4: Ask two friends to donate $50 each $300
Day 5 (Backup): Ask two neighbors/colleagues for $50 each Total: $400
Top fundraisers have found letter writing campaigns very successful. Write a letter or email friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to let them know what you’re doing and ask them to donate to you. Tell your story, why you are doing the Canary Challenge, where the money goes and why this is important to you. Remember: always send a thank you note to your donors.
Another great way to solicit contributions is to use social media- post your Canary Challenge fundraising page on your Facebook and Twitter accounts so that your friends and family know you’re getting involved. So many people in this world have been affected by this tragic disease. You may be surprised at how many people contribute and help you spread the world, whether they’re close friends or distant acquaintances.
Below is an example of Canary Challenge rider Maria, whose friends have started reposting and soliciting contributions on her behalf. It’s equally important to thank those who donate or help spread the word on social media.
Best of luck, Canary Challenge riders! Don’t forget- we’re here to help. Tweet your fundraising pages at @CanaryFound or use the #CanaryChallenge hashtag, and we’ll help you spread the word as well.
Early Cancer Detection Fundraising: Win a $1000 Wheelset for Your Ride!
August 9, 2013
We’re excited to announce a contest to win a brand new $1000 wheelset — PSIMET aluminum custom race clinchers — branded by Vanderkitten Racing. This wheelset will be used as a gift for the individual who raises the greatest amount of money for the Canary Challenge between August 6 and and midnight on Friday, August 16.
The fundraiser who raises the greatest dollar amount during this window of time will receive this fabulous wheelset as our gift — a perfect accessory to use on your bike for the upcoming Canary Challenge on September 28.
Additionally, when you raise $1,000 in donations you receive a perfect tribute from the 2013 Canary Challenge: a customized Canary Challenge jersey. You can wear this proudly on rides in years to come!
Good luck and thank you for your commitment to raising funds for Stanford Cancer Institute and Canary Center for Cancer Early Detection at Stanford. Your work makes a difference and we are deeply grateful for your participation.
Early Cancer Detection Riders: Vanderkitten Training Ride
August 6, 2013
On August 3rd, Pro Cyclists from Vanderkitten Racing led a training ride for Canary Challenge riders. It was great to be able to spend a sunny Saturday morning riding with members of the strongest (in numbers) Canary Challenge team in Portola Valley, in preparation for the upcoming Canary Challenge on September 28.
Vanderkitten riders Ruth Winder, Liza Rachetto and Jessica Cutler had a great time getting to know everyone and each rider’s strengths on the bike. Liza is a two-time Giro D Italia finisher and three time Hawaii Ironman Finisher, and Jessica Cutler is the Washington State Time Trial Champion. Click here for the full photo gallery.
If you want to get in on the training action, join more Vanderkitten cyclists from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on August 17 and September 7. Beginner to Intermediate cyclists are welcome. Please RSVP so we can know how many riders can expect.
Cancer Early Detection: The Annual Canary Foundation Early Detection Symposium
July 29, 2013
Canary Foundation is excited to announce the details of our upcoming Annual Early Detection Symposium, to be held on October 15th, at Stanford University.
The main focus of the meeting is to bring Canary research teams together to cultivate a collaborative network of cancer early detection researchers as well as hearing from some top-notch scientists. Every year, leading-edge projects arise among scientists who meet at the Symposium.
At Canary Foundation, one of the core values that drives our organization is collaboration. We believe that our collective impact is greater than our individual contributions; as a result, we are committed to bringing together the best and brightest minds in science to pioneer discovery and accelerate progress.
In that spirit, each year Canary Foundation invites hundreds of scientists from all over the world to hear from innovative and inspiring researchers in the field of cancer early detection research. The goal of the Canary Foundation Early Detection Symposium is to convene researchers so they can share their successes and challenges, working together to spur progress and development.
We expect about 200 researchers, clinicians and industry representatives as well as staff from other cancer research foundations. The Canary disease teams, including Ovarian, Pancreas, Prostate, Lung and Breast, will present updates on their research.
We’ve recently published the Symposium Agenda, which highlights the quality and caliber of the researchers presenting, as well as the breadth and depth of the topics to be discussed. To register, please visit the Symposium Website. Canary Foundation supporters and donors are encouraged to attend.
Cancer Early Detection: Canary Challenge Teams are on a Roll!
July 25, 2013
Over the last couple of months, things have been really heating up in the competition to recruit more members to join Canary Challenge teams. The contest was to become the first team to sign up six new members on a first come, first served basis. Two teams have stood out against the competition by amassing several new team members to ride side by side during the Canary Challenge on September 28.
KLA-Tencor, a $5K Sponsor of the Canary Challenge, rose to victory lead by team captain Rick Ankiel. They added 10 new team members, winning a GoPro camera and custom Canary Challenge “Cancer Sucks” socks. They beat out 64 other teams.
The Matthews Group at Morgan Stanley, also a $5K sponsor of the Canary Challenge, outpaced the rest of the pack lead by team captain Amy Oliver. They added seven new team members and also won a GoPro camera, custom Canary Challenge “Cancer Sucks” socks, along with custom Canary Challenge sunblock. They came in first against 69 other teams competing.
Your team could be next! It’s time to hustle and recruit as many team members as you can to raise as much funds as possible. If some of your colleagues are intimidated by a century ride, remind them that there are 50K and 75K routes, as well as a 5K walk/run/ride route. All proceeds go to early cancer detection research at the Canary Center and the Stanford Cancer Institute. Our vision is to live in a world where cancer is caught at the earliest, most treatable stage.
To learn more about the Team Challenge, visit the Team Challenge page on the Canary Challenge website.
Cancer Early Detection: A New Era of Research at Canary Center
July 17, 2013
Canary Foundation has moved to Stanford’s new Technology and Innovation Park (TnI Park) on Porter Drive in Palo Alto. The labs at Canary Center at Stanford are scheduled to move to the same location during late summer. These new facilities will continue to help push Canary research forward. With the move to Stanford’s Technology and Innovation Park, the labs will double in size. There will also be more equipment, including a new mass spectrometer to provide a molecular analysis of protein tissues and biological fluids from cancer tumors, helping to facilitate the detection of disease states.
Stanford University has continued to provide support to the Canary Center at Stanford by including the Canary Center in its new Technology and Innovation Park. All the labs of the Canary Center will be united under one roof, allowing for more collaboration. It’s a more modern, architecturally speaking, then the previous home, in a tree-filled setting. Location wise, our neighbors are tech and biotech companies, both large and small.
This move is extremely significant for the Canary Foundation, marking an important moment in our history. Expansion is always a milestone because it indicates growth and opportunity. In the case of the new Canary Center, there’s an opportunity to push further collaborations between researchers, accelerating scientific progress.
Cancer Early Detection Fundraiser: Balls for Balls by Philanthro Los Angeles
July 10, 2013
Philanthro Los Angeles focuses on engaging young professionals in the community. On June 22nd, 2013, they hosted Balls for Balls — Eat Meatballs, Save Lives at Nirvana Bar & Grill in Downtown Los Angeles to benefit the Canary Foundation, dedicated to the funding, discovery and development of early cancer detection for the five most prevalent forms of cancer. Balls for Balls raised money for prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in North America. The funds raised assist the clinical trials currently underway as part of the Canary Prostate Program, which develops tools to more accurately discriminate lethal from non-lethal cancers, informing critical treatment decisions and sparing thousands from unnecessary radical prostatectomy treatments.
Prior to the event, teams of four registered with clever and oftentimes hilarious names to compete in Balls for Balls. On the day of the event, many teams showed up well before the start time to get pumped up and to change into their costumes. We saw teams dressed in banana suits, tutus, tuxedos, t-shirts bearing eagles with mullets, you name it. The contenders ate meatballs in a line: the first player had to finish chewing three meatballs and show the referees their tongues, before their teammate could continue, and so on, until the whole team of four had finished. Teams competed in a tournament-style bracket through multiple rounds to come out on top to win and take home a cash prize of $400. For that whole afternoon, Nirvana was filled with laughter, cheering, and excitement.
The afternoon had more than just meatballs, though. The event was graced by musical performances from Shane Kanoa and Priska. The competition and its moments of unexpected triumph (or loss) were emceed by the wonderful Kezia Norton. Guests were able to enjoy free health screenings by USC MAPSC, a coalition of USC’s health campus graduate students. The free event also boasted a photobooth sponsored by Snapfiesta and s’mores cookies baked by Philanthro’s own Claudia Chin at the Canary table filled with goodies and educational tidbits. More »
Canary Challenge: Changing Lives in Unexpected Ways
July 2, 2013
Something extra special happened to a Canary Challenge rider, Rachel, on her training ride this weekend – her boyfriend proposed! Rachel posted this incredible picture of her and her fiancé, Noah, on social media using the #CanaryChallenge hashtag, which is how we found out. We posted the photo on our Facebook page – check out the post and write Rachel a message of congratulations!
We are so thrilled that Canary Foundation and the Canary Challenge were part of this special, life-changing moment. We welcome you to share your special Canary Challenge moments using this same hashtag (details here).
Donate for Cancer Early Detection: Canary Challenge AMEX Points
June 19, 2013
Do you or any of your friends or colleagues collect American Express points? These points may now be translated into gifts to your favorite nonprofit, including Canary Foundation and the Canary Challenge.
Now you can make a donation just by transferring your points! Canary Challenge cyclists are busy drumming up donations for the ride, and this is another creative solution to add to the list.
Canary Foundation has just joined Members Give through American Express. For Canary Challenge, a gift of 40,000 points will provide the $400 donation needed to participate in the Canary Challenge.
Once you’ve chosen a gift level (again, 40,000 points for $400; 100,000 points for $1000 and so forth), please go on your own Canary Challenge fundraising page to update your fundraising efforts with this noted as an “OFFLINE GIFT” so that you receive credit for the fundraising. The check will be mailed to Canary Challenge through AMEX and Guidestar.
This is an easy new way to make a donation to Canary Foundation. If you plan to donate to Canary Challenge for a particular team or participant, please note that and send us an email with details of your contribution so that it can reach the right person’s fundraising efforts.
