Smile for a Cure To Help Fight Against Canine Cancer

The National Canine Cancer Foundation Puts Pink Paw Seal of Approval on Inaugural “Smile for a Cure!”

The National Canine Cancer Foundation (NCCF) is partnering with over 55 featured pet photographers nationwide to launch “Smile for a Cure,” an exclusive program to raise awareness and funds in the fight against canine cancer.

During August and September 2011, exclusive Smile for a Cure pet photographers from across the country will donate 100% of their session fees to The National Canine Cancer Foundation, a non-profit, 501(C) 3 dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health issue in dogs. One in four dogs will be diagnosed with Cancer, and 50% of them will die from this terrible disease. Find out more at http://www.wearethecure.org.

Founded in 2009 by North Carolina pet photographer, Nunthany Johnson, Smile for a Cure is composed of a caring group of pet photographers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of dogs with cancer and the people who love them. Smile for a Cure is a direct result of cancer that hit home when Johnson’s Bichon Frise, Max, was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, a fatal cancer of the blood vessels.

“When someone you love has cancer, whether animal or human, it can be devastating,” says Johnson.

Her love for Max spurred her to be an active participant in finding a cure, and through her heartbreak her mission to help fight canine cancer was born. She is now joined by over 55 pet photographers across the US, working together for a cure. Smile for a Cure pet photographers are some of the top pet photographers in their regions. Photo sessions are designed to be fun and an opportunity to celebrate a client’s dog and what’s unique about him or her.

“By booking a session, you can make a tremendous difference in the lives of dogs as well as humans, making this all the more important. The National Institute of Health has gone on record to declare that much of the research on canine cancer applies to human cancer as well,” - Gary Nice, President and CEO of the NCCF.

Smile for a Cure is proudly supported by DogTime Media. Be sure to visit http://www.DogTime.com this August for exclusive information, photos and first hand accounts from editor Leslie Smith.

To find out more about Smile for a Cure and finding a participating photographer, visit http://www.smileforacure.org.

For additional inquiries please contact:
Chris Pike
cpike(at)wearethecure(dot)org
561-676-7000

The National Canine Cancer Foundation is a nationwide, contribution funded, 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to eliminating Cancer as a major health issue in dogs by funding grants directly to Cancer researchers who are working to save lives, find cures, better treatments and accurate, cost effective diagnostic methods in dealing with canine Cancer. The purpose of the Foundation’s Research Grant Program is to encourage and provide grant support for basic, pre-clinical and clinical research in high impact and innovative cancer research, which is intended to develop innovative approaches to a cure, treatment, diagnosis or prevention of cancers in dogs. The program fosters collaboration between basic and clinical scientists with the intent of enhancing the transfer of basic research findings to clinical usefulness.