What We Do and Why It's Unique

What makes Tony’s Prostate Cancer Research foundation unique? Unlike most foundations formed around medical causes, I’m not looking for breakthrough treatments, new surgical techniques or the next best medication to control the effects of this disease.

I'm putting all my energies into eradicating the disease by funding research for the CURE. Thanks to the generosity of the people of Houston, we’ve raised over $2.7 million to date, to support individual research scientists who devote their efforts exclusively to finding the cure for prostate cancer. Recently groundbreaking discoveries in the labs have proven so promising as a cure that we are on target to introduce them for human testing within 12 to 18 months!

I contend that if the greatest focus over the years had been on discovering a cure for prostate cancer, this disease would already be a chapter of history, instead of a chapter of my story.

Ironically however, the greatest concentration of dollars has historically gone to support an industry of illness and disease by funding institutions and the development of treatments which support revenue generating areas like the pharmaceutical production of medications, manufacturing and sales of diagnostic machines, surgical supplies and treatment program research, salaries and capital campaigns for the design and construction of new hospital buildings. It’s a big business and very lucrative for all involved. The truth is that the non-profit medical centers are profit-minded. While support in this area is essential as long as the disease exists, Tony’s Prostate Cancer Research foundation is dedicated to putting them all out of business by supporting the discovery of a cure! 

Research scientists find it extremely difficult to secure grants and funding towards researching a cure because pure research is regarded as a cost center (meaning non-revenue generating) until the cure is discovered. Tragically, many labs have been forced to suspend their research and close their doors due to the drastic funding cuts made by Congress. You can see why I’m so committed to joining in partnership with generous individuals and magnanimous businesses in the private sector to raise monies to support a cure.

I can assure you that I take my role as Steward of your donated dollars very seriously. I closely monitor that all contributions are used to advance the research on the GLIPR1 and that all donations are offered ‘in addition to” and not (as is so commonly done) in lieu of other funding the institution may have in place. I also oversee that none of your contributions are used for administrative or building costs. I also remain in close contact with Dr. Thompson and Dr. Logothetis.