News Release

Breast health center gives TGen new research opportunities

TGen partners with John C. Lincoln Health Network to prevent breast cancer

Business Announcement

The Translational Genomics Research Institute

PHOENIX, Ariz. – May 4, 2009 – Today's opening of a new breast health center next to John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital will provide significant research opportunities for the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

The 9,000-square-foot Breast Health and Research Center will include a tumor biorepository for TGen that will aid the non-profit research institute in discovering new ways to diagnose and treat breast cancer, which affects 1 in every 8 American women.

"What this partnership means is that breast cancer research at TGen will be significantly accelerated, specifically in development of more accurate diagnostic tests and smarter treatment options for newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients,'' said Dr. Heather Cunliffe, head of TGen's Breast & Ovarian Cancer Research Unit.

The new center is located in John C. Lincoln's Medical Offices 3, 19646 N. 27th Ave., just southwest of Interstate 17 and Loop 101, in northwest Phoenix.

"Our new state-of-the-art medical equipment allows the earliest possible detection of breast cancers when survival rates are highest and treatment is less invasive," said Sherry Gage, Clinical Director of John C. Lincoln's new center.

"But, our staff also knows the key component of the care they offer is their personalized and genuine concern for their patients. We're not just here to give the diagnosis, we're here to help patients at all stages," said Gage, a Registered Radiologic Technologist.

Breast cancer patients at the new center who agree to donate their tumor tissues will boost TGen's abilities to use genomic and proteomic research toward development of new ways to combat breast cancer.

TGen's role at the new center will be for research; not for TGen clinical trials.

"We are thrilled that JCL and TGen have developed a strong strategic partnership to benefit breast cancer patients,'' said Dr. Cunliffe, who also is an Investigator in TGen's Computational Biology Division.

The new center provides TGen with yet another avenue of assisting local hospital and research networks, including Arizona's three major universities, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Banner Health and Scottsdale Healthcare.

"This is another example of how Arizona is forging new ground through fostering broadly the alignment of clinical centers of excellence, such as John C. Lincoln, with biomedical research organizations, such as TGen. The ultimate beneficiaries are of course our patients who have cancer and other debilitating diseases," said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen's President and Research Director.

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About TGen

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are able to unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.

About John C. Lincoln

John C. Lincoln Health Network is an acclaimed not-for-profit system of hospitals, physician practices and community outreach programs. Honored for excellence by independent experts, John C. Lincoln doctors use advanced medical technology to deliver superior health care every day. Its focus on quality has earned John C. Lincoln Health Network the trust and respect of the patients and community members it serves. For more information visit JCL.com.

Press Contact:
Kelly Ettenborough
John C. Lincoln Health Network
Public Relations Specialist
623.434-6200 ext. 305322
Cell: 602.319.5788
kelly.ettenborough@jcl.com


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