Ten years ago, across the country 3,000 Golden Retrievers set off on a mission to end canine cancer by participating in the Morris Animal Foundation’s Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS). This groundbreaking study is the largest and most comprehensive prospective canine health study ever undertaken in veterinary medicine in the United States. Its purpose is to identify the nutritional, environmental, lifestyle and genetic risk factors for cancer and other diseases in all dogs. Each year, with the help of veterinarians and dog owners, the Foundation collects health, environmental and behavioral data on 3,000+ enrolled Golden Retrievers, known as “Heroes.”
These Heroes can’t do it alone, and need your support! This Saturday, August 27, 2022, you can lend a helping paw by joining us for the 3k virtual walk to raise awareness and funds during the Morris Animal Foundation’s National Dog Day Virtual Walk! Together, we can spread awareness and support research solving urgent health threats affecting millions of dogs around the world. Best yet, now through August 31, 2022 any gift to the virtual walk fundraiser is eligible to be matched, up to $50,000, making twice the impact for dogs everywhere!
But don’t delay, Register today! Your walk can be done anywhere – at your favorite beach, dog park, or neighborhood. And it can be done with anyone, so invite your friends and family to walk as a pack with you! The Morris Animal Foundation chose the distance of 3K to honor the 3,0000 Golden Retrievers enrolled in the study, but you can walk any distance that you choose. All proceeds to support their important mission to to understand the genetic, environmental, lifestyle and nutritional risk factors for cancer and other diseases in dogs in this on-going study.
As we celebrate the 10 years of the study, as of August 1, 2022, just under 2,000 (64.3%) dogs remain active in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. Cancer-related deaths account for roughly 75% of the total deaths recorded. The current average age of study dogs is 9.4 years old. Retention rate is a robust 75%, outperforming many of the best human cohort studies. Currently, the study team has logged 223 cases of hemangiosarcoma, 124 cases of lymphoma, 22 cases of high-grade mast cell tumors and 13 cases of osteosarcoma. The team also monitors all other cancer diagnoses closely. They will continue to work with research teams around the world to analyze cancer biologic samples and associated data to learn more about these important cancers affecting dogs. To learn more about the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, including recent publications, companion studies, and nested studies, please visit Morris Animal Foundation’s “What Have We Learned From the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study After 10 Years?” You will also find links to their podcasts and Golden Zoomies webinar series, which are a great way to find out more about the study and topics of interest to all dog lovers at MorrisAnimalFoundation.org!
Please Register today and join us for a walk to celebrate National Dog Day and honor the GRLS Heroes on Saturday, August 27, 2022. To learn more about the 3K and to donate, please visit the National Dog Day Virtual Walk. For all the latests updates follow the Morris Animal Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
