Cancer Touches Everyone
Cancer touches everyone. Most of us have lost a friend, coworker, family member or pet to this dreaded disease. It seems like everywhere we turn someone is talking about their experience regarding cancer. More people and pets are surviving due to the efforts of research, but there is a great need for more support and awareness. It is possible to find cures for cancer.
The mission of the 2 Million Dogs Foundation is to foster awareness of the opportunities that exist in discovering the common links between canine and human cancers through comparative oncology research. 2 Million Dogs is doing this through Education and Awareness. The field of comparative oncology is relatively new. By educating people about its tremendous potential through a global campaign of strategic partnerships, seminars, speaking engagements, social media, events, broadcasts, and other forms of media 2 Million Dogs is bring awareness to a higher level, by taking it to the streets.
Through The Puppy Up! Walks, pet owners are building the largest pet and people cancer community in the world. People from all walks of life are being empowered and mobilized, including business people, teachers and artists, house wives, college students, scientists and humanitarians. A partnership forged with a single purpose of finding cures for this deadly disease is bringing people of all walks of life together.
2 Million Dogs Walking on the Same Day
The story of the 2 Million Dogs began with a man named Luke Robinson, and his two dogs, Hudson and Murphy, who embarked on a walk from Austin, TX, to Boston, MA. Inspired by the loss of his Great Pyrenees, Malcolm, to cancer, they walked from town to town sharing Malcolm’s story and educating people about cancer in dogs. As they built a nationwide grassroots movement, Mr. Robinson had a vision: 2,000,000 dogs walking simultaneously all across the United States for cancer. If 2 dogs could walk over 2,000 miles surely it was possible!
That’s how the 2 Million Dogs Foundation was born and the legacy that started out with just a man who lost his beloved dog continues... The funds raised from these events will be used to fund canine cancer and comparative oncology research. 2 Million Dogs 2 Miles, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
The Walk Continues on Nov 6
November 6, 2011, the 2 Million Dogs March Continues! This year there will be 30 Puppy Up! Walks across the country. We invite you to join a walk near you.
For more details on the walk in Kansas City, please visit this website: https://2md2m.ejoinme.org/
MyEvents/2011LibertyMOPuppyUp Walk/tabid/288350/Default.aspx
What is Comparative Oncology?
Just like humans, companion animals, that is cats and dogs, naturally develop cancer and just like humans:
• Pets are exposed to many of the same environmental risks as people
• The cancer cells are biologically comparable
• There is a large population of cats and dogs with pre-existing cases of cancer
• Cancer occurs in pets within years compared to decades in humans
Benefits of Comparative Oncology
Veterinarian Oncologists believe there are between 4 and 8 million new cases of cancer in companion animals every year. Most of those never receive adequate care or treatment.
Increasing the number of comparative oncology studies means more and more cats and dogs will have access to the latest drug candidates.
Furthermore, grants from private and public sources will help subsidize the costs helping more families afford treatment.
It’s important to note — comparative oncology studies are NOT animal testing. The companion pets that participate have naturally occurring cancer which means one of the potential long-term benefits of these studies could be reducing our reliance on animal testing.
Heddie is a Certified Humane Educator. She is the recipient of the 2011 Excellence Award from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is a Community Training Partner for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and the local Kansas City Area Representative for the Animals and Society Institute. Her compassion for animals extends to all species. You can reach her at the PawZone In-Home PetSitting (www.thepawzone.com) and The DogSpot Training Center.
