Val Skinner Foundation Commits To Multi-Year Funding Of Decoding Cancer Program With Discovery Education

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Jul 18, 2016, 03:34 ET

BAY HEAD, N.J., July 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 17^th consecutive year, some of the LPGA's biggest stars gathered in New Jersey to raise funds for the Val Skinner Foundation, bringing the 17-year total to more than $10.5 million raised for scientific research, early detection and educational programs. The LIFE Event (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate breast cancer) was held today at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, NJ.

Leading LPGA players gathered to help the Val Skinner Foundation raise $500,000 for breast cancer initiatives. Photo by IPI Event Photography.

Earlier this year, former LPGA player Val Skinner, in collaboration with the LIFE Center at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, partnered with Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content for K-12 classrooms, to develop an interactive biology and genetics education program supporting the study of cancer in high school classrooms. The website featuring the BioCONECT curriculum, www.decodingcancer.org, launched in January and is expected to reach more than 500,000 students this year. Through Discovery Education, Decoding Cancer, has the potential to reach millions of students and it is accessible to anyone through the website, giving the curriculum an international platform. At her event, Skinner announced a multi-year agreement with Discovery Education to continue funding for the program.

"Education about the science of breast cancer and the need for young women to be aware of early detection is imperative in the ongoing fight as our youth and advancements in genomics will impact generations to come," said Skinner. "I am proud that BioCONECT, the curriculum we developed with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and piloted in New Jersey, now Decoding Cancer is reaching millions of students and teachers through Discovery Education. We must continue to drive awareness through education and this is a huge step."

Over the past 16 years, the Val Skinner Foundation LIFE Event has been one of the largest single-day breast cancer fundraisers in the country thanks to the support of LPGA players. This year's field included 2016 U.S. Open champion Brittany Lang and runner-up Anna Nordqvist, plus three Olympians.

In addition to supporting Decoding Cancer, Skinner announced Marsh Inc. is partnering with her foundation to fund a grant for precision medicine research with the LIFE Center at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Proceeds from LIFE have funded other similar grants in the past.

More information on the Val Skinner Foundation, LIFE Event and programs funded by the event can be found at www.valskinnerfoundation.org.