Raymond and Maria Floyd Provide Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Major Gift to Fund Research

PGA Legend and Wife Aid National Organization with Multi-Year Gift To Support Research in the Understanding of Bladder Cancer Risk, Prevention, and Treatment

BETHESDA, Md., March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), the first national advocacy organization dedicated to advancing bladder cancer research and public awareness, announced today that World Golf Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd and his wife, Maria, have made a six-figure gift to the organization in support of advancing necessary research efforts to help those who have been profoundly affected by bladder cancer, the nation's 5th most common form of cancer.

Maria Floyd, who was recently diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the bladder, said, "For too long bladder cancer has languished behind other cancer in receiving research funding.  I'm hopeful Raymond and I can inspire others to support research through BCAN and plant the seeds of discovery to finding other treatments and eventually a cure."  Maria Floyd is being treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, led by the team of Dr. Ashish Kamat, Associate Professor and Fellowship Director, Urologic Oncology and Dr. Arlene Siefker-Radtke, Associate Professor of Genitourinary Medical Oncology.

The Floyds' generous gift will fund an annual research award, which will be named the Raymond and Maria Floyd Award for Bladder Cancer Research. Each year, the award will support up to $25,000 in direct costs associated with a research proposal that addresses problems specific to bladder cancer.  The purpose of this grant is to advance research that will increase the understanding of bladder cancer risk, biology, prevention, and treatment while encouraging young investigators to pursue a career in bladder cancer research.

This year's award will be announced on or before May 14, 2011, and the grant period will begin on July 15, 2011. The grant recipient will be expected to present results at BCAN's annual Bladder Cancer Think Tank Meeting in August 2012.

The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network was created in May 2005 as the first national non-profit patient-based advocacy organization for bladder cancer.  BCAN's mission is to increase public awareness about bladder cancer, advance bladder cancer research, and provide educational and support services for the bladder cancer community.

For more information on BCAN, please visit the web site at www.bcan.org or call 888-901-BCAN.

SOURCE Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network