For questions, please call 616-234-5569 or email CHCC@vai.org.
Video from Arizona PBS 
With a common hope of improving the health and welfare of humans afflicted with rare tumors (and canines affected with the same respective cancer), Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) have rallied an unprecedented national alliance of veterinarians, basic scientists, and clinicians to form the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium (CHCC). The CHCC will integrate genomic studies of dogs with phenotypic and pharmacologic tests to predict therapies for human disease. This strategy leverages the low genetic diversity of pure bred dogs coupled with their predisposition for particular cancers to identify the underlying genetic lesions and biochemical pathways that contribute to these diseases, and then translate these discoveries to humans. Over the course of the last year, members of the CHCC have begun to define the fundamental goals that would characterize its growth with respect to cancer discovery in the coming decade.
In the next two years we will focus our efforts on unraveling the genetic causes of several cancers, including but not limited to: hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, melanoma, malignant histiocytic sarcoma, and lymphoma. Our goals are ambitious but this is a one-time opportunity to make an incredible difference in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in not only humans but also dogs.
How can you help?
The CHCC is soliciting the assistance of pure bred dog owners to help us collect blood and tumor samples for our research.
If your dog is afflicted with cancer and you would like to donate samples, please contact us at 616-234-5569 (phone) or 616-234-5795 (fax) or send us an email (CHCC@vai.org).
You can also help support this research by donating funds to support the CHCC.
Resources for Veterinarians
If you are a veterinarian who would like to participate by submitting samples, please review the appropriate instructions below and have the owner sign the consent form provided.
The Clumber Spaniel DNA Bank
The CHCC has partnered with the Clumber Spaniel Club of America (CSCA) to investigate diseases, genetic anomalies and injuries which affect Clumber Spaniels in particular. In July 2009 the CSCA selected Van Andel Research Institute to house its DNA bank. Clumber Spaniel owners wishing to donate blood samples to the CSHF DNA bank should download and fill in the Donor Information Form. A $15 registration fee is required.
