Continued Philanthropic Support Helps UC Davis Provide Highest Quality Cancer Care
Diamond, a 12-year-old pit bull terrier, receives ongoing cancer treatments at UC Davis thanks to support from Petco Love. Diamond was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer that formed a mast cell tumor in her right cheek with metastatic disease to her mandibular lymph nodes. She has undergone seven rounds of palliative radiation treatments to reduce the size of the tumor and improve her quality of life. The radiation treatments delay the tumor from becoming larger and more uncomfortable.
The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine recently received a new $100,000 grant from Petco Love, continuing the foundation’s support of the Oncology Service at the school’s William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. The grant will be used to support treatment for companion animals like Diamond battling cancer, to further pet cancer research, and to raise awareness about early detection of pet cancer.
“Pets are love. They are family. Unfortunately, access to veterinary care is often a financial decision,” said Petco Love President Susanne Kogut. “We are proud to support pet cancer research that improves treatment options and help families get the needed care for their pets to give them longer, healthier lives together.”
With an initial grant of $350,000 in 2016, a second grant of $225,000 in 2018, a third grant of $75,000 in 2020, this latest round of funding brings Petco’s total donation to UC Davis to $750,000. The grants help support treatments for domestic companion animals suffering from cancer. The project is part of a larger national program by Petco Love—in partnership with Blue Buffalo—to support cancer treatment and research initiatives throughout the country.
“These funds have been invaluable in helping clients who wish to pursue treatment for their pet’s cancer, but who don’t have the financial means to do so,” said Dr. Kathrine Skorupski, professor of clinical medical oncology. “Cancer treatment consisting of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy can be expensive, and this grant helps reduce that source of stress for our clients. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide the best possible cancer care for clients with limited financial means.”
The UC Davis Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials conducts more than 50 research studies at any given time—including many cancer-related clinical trials—to bring new, effective, and safe treatments to pets. Through these trials and ongoing research projects, UC Davis is breaking new ground in the discovery of therapies for veterinary cancers and bringing the latest advancements in diagnostics and treatments to its patients.
As for Diamond, generally, palliative radiation can maintain a good quality of life for 3-6 months, but she is still maintaining her fight more than a year later.
“Diamond did really well after her treatments,” said owner Terri Raiford. “It was a blessing to be awarded the grant to help me pay for her care, which I otherwise would not have been able to afford.”
Thanks to Petco Love, Diamond remains under the care of the UC Davis Oncology Service who continue to provide solutions to improve her quality of life.
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