The Golden Retriever Foundation has pledged $500,000 over a five-year period to the Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign.

In April, the MAF officially kicked off the campaign, a large-scale, $30 million initiative to cure cancer in dogs within the equivalent of a dog's lifetime of 10 to 20 years (see JAVMA, May 1, 2007, page 1287).

The GRF was the first breed foundation or club to pledge a major gift to the campaign.

"Cancer is the leading cause of death among Goldens, as it is among many breeds," said David Kinghorn, president of GRF. "We hope that other breed groups will follow our lead and support this important endeavor."

Established in 1997 by the Golden Retriever Club of America, the GRF supports research, rescue, and education and has awarded more than $1 million in grants.

"We are very excited to become involved in this cancer campaign on the ground level," Kinghorn said. "Lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma are two of the cancers that most affect Golden Retrievers. We believe the research funded through this campaign will lead to treatments for these cancers and will help to improve the health of Goldens."

To learn more about the Canine Cancer Campaign or to make a donation, call toll-free (877) DOG CURE (364-2873), or visit www.curecaninecancer.org or www.morrisanimalfoundation.org.