Sky Foundation, Inc. Raises Approximately $111,000 in 2011 To Find a Test for Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sky Foundation, Inc., a local non-profit dedicated to raising awareness and funding research for the early detection of pancreatic cancer, today announced it raised approximately $111,000 in 2011, bringing the total raised since its inception in 2008 to nearly $340,000.  Sheila Sky Kasselman, founder, Sky Foundation, made the announcement.

Sky Foundation funds a scientific and physician partnership between the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Henry Ford Health System and Wayne State University.  The Foundation's goal is to fund research to develop an advanced blood screening test identifying antibodies indicating a malignancy in the pancreas.  The antibodies will be used as diagnostic markers that aid in the early detection of pancreatic cancer.

Sky Foundation raised the money in a variety of ways: at its annual brunch in November, and through individual gifts, memorial donations, and smaller fundraisers.

Also in 2011, Sky Foundation funded two blood draw events as part of a clinical research study by Henry Ford Health System and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute to develop a rapid and inexpensive blood screening test for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.  In early 2012, it began funding a research study of blood serum specimens obtained at the time of endoscopic ultrasound, a procedure used to diagnosis pancreatic cancer.

"I am thrilled that we are able to fund these two very important components of the research project, and I am hopeful this means that very soon we'll have the test to detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage," said Kasselman.

Kasselman was recognized in 2011 for founding Sky Foundation and leading its efforts.  She was one of WJR news radio's "Women Who Lead" and she received the Patricia Milner Sachs "Heart of a Survivor" Award from the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Sky Foundation Research Team
Michael Tainsky, Ph.D., Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University
Steven Dudas, Ph.D., Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Ann Silverman, M.D., FACG, War Memorial Hospital, Sault Ste. Marie
Osama H. Alaradi, M.D., Henry Ford Health System
Robert Pompa, M.D., Henry Ford Health System
M. Margaret French, RN, Henry Ford Health System

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.skyfoundationinc.org.

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Sheila Sky Kasselman
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SOURCE Sky Foundation, Inc.