PC-REF, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public foundation, was founded in April, 1997 through the efforts of patients active in the support group movement in San Diego and a physician, Dr. Israel Barken. Dr. Barken is PC-REF's medical and philosophical leader, and promotes the empowerment of the prostate cancer patients through education and the development of a team approach between patient and doctor.

We are vitally interested in identifying and supporting innovative prostate cancer research projects. We provide "seed money" to help develop preliminary results needed to attract major funding. We focus on projects that will help patients sooner rather than later.

PC-REF is unique because we fund seed money grants to initiate new research and the development of new ideas by innovative researchers. Seed money grants allow talented researchers to create the preliminary data required to apply for large operating grants. We fill a critical gap in the progress of new ideas and the development of new tools for treatment and diagnosis. PC-REF operates efficiently and carefully since we are wholly funded by private individuals like you. PC-REF keeps you up to date with the latest medical developments. We coach the whole person, combining conventional and alternative approaches. We focus on research ideas that can benefit today's patients. We work to help patients now.

PCREF Activities
In patient Education and Support, PC-REF:

• Sponsors six local support groups for survivors and spouses including a Women's Group.
• Publishes a newsletter, the "PC-REF Reporter," providing and interpreting the latest research news.
• Plays key roles in local prostate cancer public forums, with leading speakers from around the country.
• Maintains this web site which provides valuable information and references to other information.
• Has published a cookbook with prostate-healthy recipes.
• Has provided grants for men's classes in Mind-Body Healing techniques such as meditation and visualization in cooperation with the Wellness Community, San Diego.
• Provides MultiGraph medical history graphs at no charge.
  ….. and many other activities.
  
  In prostate cancer Research, PC-REF:
• Provides seed money to get promising research projects off the ground.
• Has completed and presented a soy study in cooperation with Anticancer, Inc. and EcoNugenics, Inc.
• Has developed a protocol to evaluate a proposed prostate cancer prevention regime in high-risk populations.
• Has collaborated on a study of photodynamic therapy in dogs that has important applications in treating prostate cancer in humans.
• Has studied the effects of cryosurgery on the immune system in mice.
• Has funded studies in cooperation with a research facility in Texas on interferon protocols in mice.
• Is studying the effect of bisphosphonates on bone metastases in mice injected with a human prostate cell line.
• Has recently funded two new projects on the relationship of Parathyroid Related Hormones (PTHrPs) to bone destruction in prostate cancer and the effectiveness of Pamidronate in preventing bone metastases.

We have provided over $200,000 in seed money grants for new research. Your financial support is needed to continue this work.

For the latest information on these and other studies click on PC-REF Research.
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