Healthcare consulting firm SmartPractice® donates to TGen towards early breast cancer detection
SmartPractice has donated $50,000 to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) to support research for the early detection and more precise treatment of breast cancer.
This year’s gift is double what SmartPractice donated to TGen last year in support of research that could help prevent breast cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
SmartPractice is a family-owned, Phoenix-based firm that has partnered with dental and healthcare professionals nationwide for more than 45 years to improve the health of both practices and patients. A portion of the proceeds of their innovative line of Pink Ribbon exam gloves and supplies generates a donation to fund breast cancer research and awareness programs. Since 2004, the wide selection of SmartPractice Pink Ribbon products has generated over $290,000 in donations to Breast Cancer awareness and research programs including American Cancer Society, Guardians of the Ribbon, Honor Health, TGen, Cancer Support Community and Susan G. Komen.
An Arizona entrepreneurial success story, the company was founded in 1969 as Semantodontics by local leaders Jim and Naomi Rhode. The company was renamed SmartPractice in 1988. The leadership of the growing company transitioned to Drs. Curt Hamann and Beth (Rhode) Hamann in 1997 continuing a family tradition of service to community, employees, healthcare professionals and patients.
“After discovering TGen for the first time last year, and seeing the how our donation made a difference in the ability of TGen researchers to further the science of cancer treatment, we decided this year to increase our gift,” said Dr. Charlotte Thrall, Healthcare Director of SmartPractice Wellness Clinic. “We at SmartPractice believe we can help make a difference in the lives of breast cancer patients by supporting the leading-edge research happening at TGen.”
Specifically, today’s SmartPractice donation will go toward TGen’s development of what are known as “liquid biopsies:” simple, non-invasive blood tests that could help detect cancer earlier. They seek to identify “at risk” genetic biomarkers in a patient’s blood circulatory system.
Liquid biopsies are less invasive, less costly and less risky than conventional tissue biopsies, which essentially are minor surgeries.
“We are proud to have merited the support of a health industry leader like SmartPractice,” said TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff. “Through their very generous contribution, Dr. Curtis Hamann (President and CEO of SmartPractice) and his team will help advance TGen research in the early detection of breast cancer.”
About TGen:
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, and diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process.
For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.