The Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) and leading multimedia retailer QVC recently presented $240,000 for breast cancer research to the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), partner with UPMC CancerCenter.
The contribution came from the proceeds of the 20th annual QVC Presents "FFANY Shoes on Sale" event, held last fall to benefit several cancer research centers across the country, including UPCI for the second year in a row. UPCI also has been selected to receive funds from this year's event; the FFANY gala will be held on October 8 in New York and the charitable shoe sale is scheduled to air on QVC® October 16 at 6 PM (ET).
The grant will fund research being led by principal investigators Adrian V. Lee, Ph.D., Nancy E. Davidson, M.D., and co-investigators Steffi Oesterreich, Ph.D., and Adam Brufsky, M.D. The study examines why breast cancer recurs and metastasizes, a topic that has previously received little research attention. Since more than 90 percent of breast cancer deaths are related to metastatic disease, this research has the potential to have a major impact upon breast cancer survival.
"We are honored to receive the support of the Fashion Footwear Association of New York and QVC. They have recognized the impact of the work we're doing here at UPCI," said Dr. Davidson, who also is director of UPCI and the UPMC CancerCenter. "With these funds, we can continue working toward finding altered genes that could be modulated to treat and ultimately prevent the recurrence of breast cancer."
Since its inception, QVC Presents "FFANY Shoes on Sale" has sold over 1.7 million pairs of shoes and generated more than $44 million to benefit leading breast cancer research and education institutions. Designated as the event's "Special Pink Benefactors" in 2013, The Nine West Group, Brown Shoe Company and Camuto Group each donated shoes worth more than $500,000. Their contributions included brands such as Nine West, Anne Klein and Easy Spirit, as well as Via Spiga, Franco Sarto, Naturalizer, Vince Camuto, Jessica Simpson and VC Signature.
About UPCI
As the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in western Pennsylvania, UPCI is a recognized leader in providing innovative cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment; bio-medical research; compassionate patient care and support; and community-based outreach services. UPCI, a partner with UPMC CancerCenter, investigators are world-renowned for their work in clinical and basic cancer research.
About QVC
QVC, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation (NASDAQ: LINTA, LINTB), is the world's leading video and ecommerce retailer. QVC is committed to providing its customers with thousands of the most innovative and contemporary beauty, fashion, jewelry and home products. Its programming is distributed to approximately 300 million homes worldwide through operations in the U.S., Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy and a joint venture in China. West Chester, Pa.-based QVC has shipped more than a billion packages in its 27-year history and the company's website, QVC.com, is ranked among the top general merchant Internet sites. QVC, Q, and the Q Ribbon Logo are registered service marks of ER Marks, Inc.
About the Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation
The Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation was created to support ongoing research and education programs in the fight against breast cancer and is supported by members of the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY). Donated footwear is sold on live television through QVC during the Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation's annual charity benefit, QVC Presents "FFANY Shoes on Sale." Funds are distributed to leading breast cancer research and education institutions across the United States, including beneficiaries for the 2014 event: The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, The Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, The Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center's Breast Oncology Program, The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, The Margie and Robert E. Petersen Breast Cancer Research Program at the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center. The Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation makes its home at 274 Madison Avenue, Suite 1701, New York, NY 10016, http://www.FFANY.org.