FRIENDS ANNOUNCES 2008 RESEARCH GRANT RECIPIENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - FRIENDS FOR AN EARLIER BREAST CANCER TEST ®, the Greensboro, NC based non- profit organization dedicated solely to funding research to find an earlier biological test for breast cancer is pleased to announce the awarding of their 2008 Medical Research Grants:

1. Sarah Aiyar et al., University of Virginia School of Medicine. "Measurement of Aromatase in the Breast: Use for Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Early Detection." ~ 2 years - $40,000.

2. Anatoliy Boryssenko and Richard Arenas, University of Massachusetts. "Compact Microwave Array Imaging Chamber for Improved Early Breast Cancer Detection." ~ 15 months - $39,915.

3. William Coleman, University of North Carolina School of Medicine. "Contribution of a Novel BRCA1 Promoter Polymorphism to Increased Breast Cancer Susceptibility." ~ 1 year - $40,000.

4. Joseph Geradts, Duke University School of Medicine: "Validation of Novel Candidate Genes Involved in Early Breast Cancer Progression." ~ 1 year - $40,000.

5. Qiuhong He, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. "Development of Chimeric Biopolymers as Molecular MRI Contrast Agents to Detect Premalignant Breast Lesions, Breast Cancer, and Metastasis." ~ 1 year - $40,000.

6. Wenzheng Zhang, University of Texas at Houston Medical School. "Developing a New Serum Assay for Detection of a Potential Novel Biomarker in Early Stages of Breast Cancer." ~ 1 year - $40,000.

7. Stephen Grant, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. "Biomarkers of Invasive and Metastatic Potential in Breast Cancer in Situ." ~ 1 year - $40,000.

These grants are awarded to research that demonstrates the potential for discovering earlier methods of breast cancer detection, such as a biological test. By funding these specifically focused seed grants, money directed from Friends is leveraged to help researchers pursue promising ideas and initiatives. As a result of this preliminary work, it can be determined if the research demonstrates merit for future funding.

The Medical Advisory Board, lead by Kenneth S. Karb, MD annually selects the most worthy projects to receive Friends' funding. With the awarding of the 2008 grants, Friends has provided over $2,000,000 of seed grant money to fund earlier breast cancer detection research since 1995.

For more information about Friends For An Earlier Breast Cancer Test ® and the annual Gathering of Friends, and to review the medical research grant guidelines, please visit www.earlier.org.