Ovarian Cancer Patients Given True Gift Of Happiness

Aug. 25, 2009 - PRLog -- Ovations for the Cure, a national ovarian cancer organization, is proud to announce that several of its event sponsors are increasing their already generous spirit in support of those who are facing ovarian cancer. Friends of Mel Foundation, Morphotek, Inc., and other anonymous supporters of the Learning for Living Symposium and the Night of the Monarch Gala, being held on Saturday, September 26, 2009, have graciously donated back their tickets to these events so that 40 ovarian cancer patients and survivors of ovarian cancer may attend both events free of charge.

Ovations for the Cure founder, the late Patricia Franchi Flaherty, created the Learning for Living with Ovarian Cancer Symposium to educate and update ovarian cancer patients and survivors on the latest ovarian cancer research, treatments, and therapies. Now in its third year, the symposium assembles some of the nation’s leading gynecological medical experts on ovarian cancer, providing an opportunity for patients to receive first hand updates on treatment, detection and support services and to speak with the experts in a relaxed setting. This unique event continues to be made possible because of sponsors who recognize that so much is still unidentified in the fight against ovarian cancer. By sponsoring this worthwhile event, they have given a vitally important gift to these women; the gift of knowledge and hope. President and CEO of Morphotek, Inc., Nicholas Nicolaides, announces, “Morphotek is proud to support the efforts of Ovations for the Cure on behalf of Ovarian Cancer Patients.  Morphotek will continue our mission of developing novel classes of biological based therapies to treat Ovarian Cancer and other cancer types.”

In addition to appreciating the critical importance for awareness and education for ovarian cancer, Friends of Mel and Morphotek, Inc. acknowledge the importance of recognizing and honoring all who currently face ovarian cancer and those who have succumbed to the disease. The Night of the Monarch Gala, which this year hosts the fourth annual Stuart Weitzman Fashion Show, was established as Ovations’ flagship event, with the goal of raising funds for ovarian cancer research. Event sponsors, Friends of Mel and Morphotek, Inc.  have generously given up their reserved seats for ovarian cancer patients to be able to attend the black tie event at no cost to them. The Friends of Mel Foundation President, Pauline Alighieri states, "Over 11,000,000 people are living with cancer.  We believe in supporting programs like these because they teach survivors how to live their best life." It is acts of kindness like this that have exemplified a true gift of happiness.

The culmination of these two signature events for Ovations for the Cure will help to conclude National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month by acknowledging those who are making strides to change the future of the disease. “Currently, there are no accurate screening tests for ovarian cancer and the inconspicuous symptoms of the disease represent problems common in almost every woman. As a result, more than 7 out of 10 women are not diagnosed until the disease has progressed to advanced stages,” said Lisa Tocci, Director of Operations at Ovations for the Cure. “These events, made possible by our generous sponsors, help improve those odds through awareness and critical research toward someday finding a cure.”  

About Ovations for the Cure:
Ovations for the Cure, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to the relentless pursuit of a cure for ovarian cancer in three critical ways. First, by providing critical funding of new and ongoing ovarian cancer research and treatment initiatives. Second, by actively increasing the awareness of the subtle signs and symptoms of this silent disease. Third, by giving hope, education and comfort to those currently battling ovarian cancer through its patient programs. The organization was founded in 2006 by nine-year ovarian cancer survivor Patricia Franchi Flaherty, who also lost her mother to the disease. Patty decided to dedicate her life to raising awareness of the risk factors and subtle warning signs of this often overlooked women’s cancer so no other women would have to endure what she did. For more information about Ovations, please visit www.ovationsforthecure.org.

About Friends of Mel Foundation:
It is the mission of the Friends of Mel Foundation to raise money for cancer. The Foundation will look to fund creative and promising projects that impact patient care at both the grassroots and institutional levels. Areas of greatest interest are research, education, awareness, prevention and patient support. In the spirit of Mel's generosity, many other cancer patients and survivors were ministered through their battles with cancer. As a tribute to Mel, the Foundation has been created to continue her work. To date, through the sale of Mel's whimsical bracelets, over $1,000,000 have been donated to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center for cancer research and education.

About Morphotek, Inc.:
Morphotek Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of protein and antibody products through the use of a proprietary gene evolution technology.  Morphotek has developed a pipeline of therapeutic antibodies in late and early-stage development in the area of cancer, inflammation and infectious diseases.  Two of the company’s mAb programs are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer with several others in preclinical development. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Eisai, Ltd., Morphotek has retained an independent workplace while benefiting from the ability to collaborate and actively exchange ideas with Eisai scientists in laboratories around the world.