Alumni of University of Otago in America, Inc.

$322,410 and counting! . . . See the SOS Progress Beaker! (last updated 2/24/22)

Odds are you have a stomach. Most people do, but if you have been diagnosed with Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer syndrome caused by a mutation in the CDH1 gene, you might be stomachless.

This campaign organized by Parry's Angels. Visit Save Our Stomachs to learn more.

Total stomach removal is currently the only preventative approach for individuals affected with the CDH1 gene mutation. The mutation causes the syndrome Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer which gives its carriers up to a 70% chance of developing diffuse gastric cancer. This surgery, although preventative, can lead to lifelong complications.

In 1997 Professor Parry Guilford was approached by the Māori family in Dunedin, New Zealand. They noticed a large number of their family members dying from gastric cancer. Guilford spent two years on a quest to discover the cause of this cancer. Together with his team at The University of Otago Center for Translational Cancer Research, they found the mutation in the CDH1 gene. Since this discovery, they have been researching a better treatment option for stomach removal for those affected with this genetic mutation.

The chemoprevention treatment they are working on looks promising and could be ready for human trials in two to three years. Your donations will help further the research that they believe will allow CDH1 mutation carriers to save their stomachs safely.

Go to SaveOurStomachs to learn more about this deadly mutation and the path to treatment Guilford and his team are on.

A $1.5m endowment campaign will provide core funding for The Centre for Translational Cancer Research to conduct long-term research into Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC), giving patients an option to live with their stomachs and without stomach cancer

Thank you for your generosity in allowing Professor Parry Guilford and his team the opportunity to Save Our Stomachs, For The Future.

All donations are received in the AUOA general funds. Awards, scholarships, grants, funds etc., are considered and voted on by the AUOA Board of Directors. Donor preferences are always taken into account.