Continuing with its 11-year support of the program, the Vera Bradley Foundation has announced that it will grant another $10 million to fund breast cancer research through the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center.
The popular handbag designer has been supporting the IU Simon Cancer Center breast cancer program since 1998, when it donated $1.2 million. Since then, it has donated $2 million in 2003 and $6.8 million in 2006.
The Vera Bradley Foundation’s funding now represents the single largest philanthropic resource for the IU program.
"Vera Bradley Foundation funding has allowed us to be a leader in understanding breast cancer and to be at the forefront of critical discoveries," said George W. Sledge, co-director of the IU Simon Cancer Center breast cancer program.
"We now know that breast cancer is not a single disease, but many unique diseases. We also know that we are unlikely to find one magic bullet that cures all cases. Instead, we are working to develop an arsenal of successful treatment options and then learn how to determine the best approach for each individual woman," he added.
Based on the past 10 years of Vera Bradley Funding, the cancer center has become the only site in the world testing the only potential new therapy to force breast cancer cells to "grow old and die." The center also became the first site in the world to administer new life-extending treatments such as Avastin, which recently received FDA approval thanks to IU research. The grants have also helped the center’s faculty to grow from 6 members in 1999 to 34.
The Vera Bradley Foundation receives its funding through special events, donations through the company’s website, and the sale of breast cancer awareness designs on specific handbags.