TOLEDO – More Northwest Ohio garden centers this spring are teaming up with an Arizona-based
biomedical research organization to fight pancreatic cancer through the sale of purple flowers, which
symbolize the nation’s fourth leading cause of cancer death.The Maumee Valley Growers, who helped initiate
the "Plant Purple-Grow Hope" campaign in 2011, are joined this year by The Anderson’s Markets and
Sautter’s Markets in raising funds for pancreatic cancer research at the Phoenix-based non-profit
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).Growers and retailers will raise funds for TGen during May
and June by donating a portion of the sale of any purple flowers. Purple is the color representing
pancreatic cancer."We’re looking at expanding the program this year. It can only get bigger," said
Toledo native Deanna Bobak, who lost her father, Donald Swicegood of Toledo, to pancreatic cancer. He died
only months after his diagnosis, and Bobak hopes a method of early detection can be developed."People
are excited. There’s a lot of positive energy in moving the program forward," said Bobak, who is
spearheading the drive again this year in the Toledo area.Jim Sautter, owner of Sautter’s Markets in
suburban Toledo, buys from local farms and likes to get involved in local causes. He views participation in
Plant Purple-Grow Hope as a great opportunity to help his local community.While he doesn’t have anyone in
his immediate family impacted by pancreatic cancer, Sautter said he has known those who have. "It’s a
very serious disease, and it would be wonderful if TGen could make some headway toward better treatments, or
even a cure."Joe Perlaky, Executive Director of the Maumee Valley Growers, said, "Our 13 garden
centers that developed the program have provided a great opportunity for location expansion and increased
community awareness. This is important to us. It’s really about the research and the pursuit of a treatment
or cure. We all look forward to a time when this dreaded disease is only mentioned in the history
books."Kelly Kinney started Plant Purple-Grow Hope in honor of her brother, Bret Connors, a Scottsdale,
Arizona, resident who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in 2009."We are really excited to continue
working with the Maumee Valley Growers, who have made a long-term commitment to us and who at the same time
are open to others joining our community awareness efforts," said Kinney, who moved to Houston, from
Toledo, and hopes to secure a major sponsor in the future that will enable Plant Purple-Grow Hope to become
a nationwide program."We’re really excited to initiate our third year. We’ve shown that we are able to
sustain this effort, and are on pace to continue to grow and build relationships. I am more committed than
ever, and really exited about the future," said Kinney, adding that Plant Purple-Grow Hope helps
preserve the memory of her brother, Bret, who is survived by his wife and three sons. For more about Bret,
please visit: www.tgen.org/get-involved/tributes/bret-connors.aspx.Michael Bassoff, President of the TGen
Foundation, said that TGen scientists are inspired by the passion and commitment of Kinney and others
involved in Plant Purple-Grow Hope."TGen’s profound advances against pancreatic cancer have been fueled
by the generous leadership of volunteers across the nation, and we are thrilled to continue to receive
critically needed funding from this bold and creative initiative," Bassoff said.To launch a Plant
Purple-Grow Hope program in your community, please contact Erin Massey at the TGen Foundation at (602)
343-8470.Proceeds will fund TGen and its Pancreatic Cancer Research Team (PCRT), which includes leading
pancreatic cancer scientists, physicians and researchers, armed with the most technologically advanced tools
and resources, at 45 top-flight medical research institutions worldwide.Pancreatic cancer annually takes the
lives of more than 37,000 Americans, making it the nation’s fourth-leading cause of cancer death.Info Box:
Wood County and area growers participating in ‘Plant Purple’Black Diamond Nursery12320 Eckel Junction Road,
PerrysburgBostdorff Greenhouse18862 North Dixie Highway, Bowling GreenArea growersSautter’s Markets and
Wardell’s Garden Center, both in WatervilleHoen’s Greenhouse and Garden Center, Elmore