Riding for Research — Women’s Cancer Research

We are thrilled to be supporting the world renowned research being conducted at the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics. In addition to a percentage of your registration fees, all proceeds from the silent auction, jewelry sales and other shopping opportunities will go directly to research for women. Please check out the PLEDGE YOUR RIDE site and discover the many opportunities to raise money for this great cause.

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Dear Bicyclists,

I would like to personally congratulate you on your choice to keep fit and healthy. I can’t think of a better workout than riding a bike. Physical fitness is a passion of mine and I believe that everyone benefits when you incorporate exercise into your daily life. Little Red Riding Hood sounds like a great event filled with fun activities in addition to a well planned out ride and time permitting I’d love to participate.

This past year I was honored to receive the Nobel Prize for genetic research in gene targeting. Continued research in this area is vital if we are to gain ground on cancer and many other human diseases that plague millions. Most of our funding comes from private sources so please know how grateful to you we are. Your support will make a difference!

Again, thank you for your support and I wish you all a marvelous ride. May the sun shine on your face, may the wind be at your back and most of all just enjoy it!

Keep pedaling

Eccles Institute of Human Genetics

Dear Ladies,

We are very pleased that the Department of Human Genetics has been selected once again as the beneficiary of the upcoming Little Red Riding Hood event for 2010. We have some exciting news to share with you about how your donations will affect the future of breast and ovarian cancer research.

As you are aware, genetic research has contributed enormously to our understanding of the causes of cancer. Nearly all cancers are caused ultimately by errors in individual DNA sequences. However, it has been challenging to obtain genetic data affordably and efficiently. When the Human Genome Project began in 1990, it took 13 years to complete one person’s entire DNA sequence, at a cost of nearly three billion dollars. In 2007, history was made when that process was reduced from 13 years to less than one year, at a cost of approximately 10 million dollars. With current technology, it is possible to obtain an individual’s complete DNA sequence for just a few thousand dollars, and the cost continues to decline.

We are happy to announce that with your support, and in keeping with the University of Utah’s tradition of excellence, we will soon be acquiring a Pacific Biosciences SMRT DNA sequencer. This machine will provide us with state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technology. Within the next year, it will take as little as 15 minutes to complete an individual’s entire DNA sequence. Research on the causes of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as many other diseases, will be greatly facilitated by this highly advanced technology. We are pleased that you will be a part of this extraordinary effort.

Sincerely,

Lynn B. Jorde, Ph.D.
Professor
H.A. and Edna Benning Presidential Chair
Human Genetics Department Chair