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Mattress Firm Commits $1,000,000

Mattress Firm Commits $1,000,000

Phoenix, Arizona: November 3, 2014

America’s largest mattress retailer, Mattress Firm commits $1 Million to TGen, kicking-off National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout November, the largest U.S. retailer of mattresses, Mattress Firm, hopes to raise visibility around the nation’s fourth leading cause of cancer death as it recognizes National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and commits to raising $1 million through its Mattress Firm Foundation.

Mattress Firm stores across U.S. commits these funds for the most deadly, yet under-funded cancer. The donation will directly impact research at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) towards earlier detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

“As a national company with a footprint of more than 1,700 stores, we at Mattress Firm hope to help raise awareness of this deadly and complex disease,” said Steve Stagner, president and CEO of Mattress Firm. “Many of our team members have been personally touched by the disease and lost loved ones, and we dream it’s possible to extend the lives of our friends and loved ones through our funding and awareness-building programs. It used to be that only four percent of people in 1996 with pancreatic cancer would live to survive another birthday. Now, thanks to clinical trials, 40 percent are living to see another year.”

Mattress Firm is partnering in the fight against pancreatic cancer with Phoenix, Arizona-based TGen, a non-profit biomedical research organization that focuses on developing earlier diagnostics and treatments of diseases, including pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer, which kills nearly 40,000 U.S. residents each year, is frequently referred to as a “silent killer” because it is challenging to detect at early stages, and when found, is difficult to treat. The $1 million commitment from the Mattress Firm Foundation will directly fund a research study on new imaging methods that may allow for earlier and more accurate detection of pancreatic cancer, before it spreads to other organs.

“This extraordinary gift demonstrates the leadership that Mattress Firm has brought to the battle against pancreatic cancer,” said TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff. “The contributions by Mattress Firm staff and customers will be put to work immediately to help bring new answers to patients as soon as possible.”

Mattress Firm began its partnership with TGen in 2011 to help fund the institute’s aggressive search for the cure for pancreatic cancer. TGen’s Distinguished Professor and Physician-In-Chief Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, considered one of the world’s leading experts on pancreatic cancer, has been instrumental in improving the survival rate for patients diagnosed with the disease.

“Round Up” for Pancreatic Cancer in November

During November, Mattress Firm is asking its customers to donate to the cause through a “Round Up” for pancreatic cancer fundraiser at point of purchase. By rounding a purchase up to the nearest dollar, ten dollars or even hundred dollars, each sale will directly benefit the Mattress Firm Foundation’s support of TGen’s clinical trials and early detection.

“For every $1 million raised, we can fund an additional clinical trial,” said Stagner. “Each trial brings us closer to finding a cure. Together, we can dream it’s possible to make this a reality in our lifetime.”

Mattress Firm stores across the country will also participate in local runs/walks and other fundraising events in their communities. Last year, more than 1,000 stores and 2,000 employees participated in local events in November alone.