Donations for TGen ovarian cancer research will be matched up to $100,000 by philanthropists

Through Sept. 30, donations for ovarian cancer research at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) will be matched - up to $100,000 - by philanthropists Lynn and Foster Friess.

The challenge is in memory of Taryn Ritchey, the 22-year-old daughter of Judy Jost of Cave Creek, Ariz., a personal assistant to Foster Friess. In 2007, Taryn lost her battle with ovarian cancer, the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women.

"Taryn is gone physically, but her spirit remains. She is always with me, always in my heart. And, she continues to inspire the doctors and researchers at TGen," her mother said. "My daughter never gave up, and neither has TGen, which continues to advance cutting-edge genetic technology in pursuit of better cancer treatments; and perhaps, someday - we can pray - a cure."

TGen's advanced genomics-based treatments, using molecular DNA profiling, gave Taryn another five months of life - months that still mean the world to her family.

"It gave us, and Taryn, hope. She never gave up hope. We never did, and neither did TGen," Judy Jost said.

Lynn and Foster Friess, who split their time between Scottsdale, Ariz., and Jackson, Wyo., have previously donated more than $400,000 to TGen for ovarian cancer research.

"We continue to support ovarian cancer research in memory of Judy's daughter, Taryn, because we are confident that TGen can win the battle against ovarian cancer, and save lives," Foster Friess said.

The Friess Family Foundation will match contributions, dollar-for-dollar - up to $100,000 - to TGen's ovarian cancer research. The challenge will end Sept. 30, 2012.

""The philanthropic leadership of Lynn and Foster Friess is a tremendous inspiration for our scientific researchers, as well as our patients and contributors," said TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff.