The goal will be $25,000 for this project!

Tackling Cancer in Bernese Mountain Dogs: Using liquid biopsies to maximize chance of treatment success

This project is currently underway with Michigan State University. The entire project grant is $99,000.

Efforts are ongoing to address the elevated incidence of cancer within this breed, with several projects currently supported by the BGF and BMDCA. Dr. Hedan's research remains active, and a collaboration with Ramitrex, under the guidance of Dr. John Robertson, has recently commenced. Each of these three initiatives focuses on the early detection of cancer, particularly HS. Although Dr. Vilma initiated the current project prior to her passing, the research is being continued by her colleagues who previously worked alongside her.

Early diagnosis has proven critical in improving survival rates and outcomes for various human cancers. Notable examples include breast cancer, where mammography enables timely intervention; prostate cancer, aided by measurement of prostate-specific antigen levels in blood; and colon cancer, for which colonoscopy and, more recently, genetic screening of fecal samples have facilitated earlier, less invasive detection. Another promising method for early disease identification is the use of "liquid biopsies." It is well recognized that by the time clinical symptoms manifest in affected dogs, effective intervention is often no longer feasible due to significant tumor burden. The goal of these projects is to enable earlier detection, thereby improving the likelihood that dogs can be treated successfully using the chemotherapeutic agents currently available.

If you would like to help us hit our goal of raising $25,000, you can make a donation via PayPal.  
Please type: "2025 Berner-Garde Fundraiser" where it says "Enter dedication or in memory of here."  Here is the link!

Click Here for: How to make your Donation

"It's back!!!    The annual Berner-Garde Foundation Gift Bonanza organized by Joye Neff! This is the Main Page for the Gift Bonanza and will be updated as necessary with important information such as the progress of this event, the lucky gift winners, etc. You can click on the buttons (Bones) above for more information, and to see all of the gift items (Tier 1 and Batch 1 though 8).

The BGF Board of Trustees looks forward to this event every year! The organization is run entirely by volunteers. Without the generous support of donors like you we could not continue our work. And to Joye Neff, the Berner world is blessed to have such a friend. Please donate to this Gift Bonanza...for the Love of a Berner. Lori Jodar President, BGF

Please click on the photo above on the right for an important message from Lori Jodar about current projects to upgrade the BG database application framework and to continue the DNA Repository and expand tissue collection - especially histiocytic sarcoma - that is being used for research.