Grant to support ongoing research of angiogenesis—in honor of Morris and Alvirda Hyman

FREMONT, California - June 16, 2008 - Fremont Bank Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Northern California’s Fremont Bank, awarded a $25,000 grant to the Foundation for Accelerated Vascular Research (FAVR).  The grant will be welcomed by FAVR in support of the ongoing research in the field of angiogenesis in honor of Morris and Alvirda Hyman—Fremont Bank’s founder and wife, respectively.

FAVR is a non-profit medical organization dedicated to accelerating research into the cause, prevention and treatment of vascular disease. Founded in 1982 as the Pacific Vascular Research Foundation, the organization recently changed its name to more accurately reflect the urgency of its longstanding mission—translating research into medical practice to prevent death and disability from vascular disease.

“Our grant will enable the organization to continue its ongoing research at the Laboratory for Accelerated Vascular Research (LAVR) at the University of California, San Francisco, where physicians and scientists work side-by-side to solve the mysteries of vascular disease,” says Hattie Hyman Hughes, President, Fremont Bank Foundation and daughter of Morris and Alvirda Hyman.
 
LAVR has earned a national reputation as a leading center for research in the field of angiogenesis (i.e. growing new blood vessels by turning on genes). While interested in growing new blood vessels, LAVR scientists also are learning how to turn off blood vessel growth. This process restricts blood flow to malignant tumors, thus reducing the size and eventually killing the tumor. “We greatly appreciate Fremont Bank Foundation’s grant and their willingness to partner with us in the ongoing research of angiogenesis,” says Jerry Millhon, executive director of FAVR. 

About Fremont Bank
Fremont Bank (www.fremontbank.com) is the leading full-service community bank in Northern California. Founded in 1964, Fremont Bank is one of the oldest independent family owned and managed banks in the region and focuses on personalized service for individuals and businesses. It serves communities through 24 branches and seven additional ATMs throughout the Greater Bay Area. Exceptional client service is the cornerstone of Fremont Bank’s business. Accommodation of customer needs in a friendly, personal atmosphere characterizes the bank’s culture. 

Fremont Bank is the primary funding source for Fremont Bank Foundation, which was established in 1995 as an independent, private, grant-making foundation. Fremont Bank Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests or uninvited proposals; its members prefer to seek out and select organizations for potential funding 

About The Foundation for Accelerated Vascular Research (FAVR)
Founded in 1982, the Foundation for Accelerated Vascular Research is harnessing the power of collaboration to accelerate the most promising research into medical practice to prevent death and disability from vascular disease. FAVR’s novel research model — the Investigational Collaboration Unit (ICU) — links venture philanthropy with research and private industry to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and human health. Each ICU is the operating unit that applies FAVR’s unique “Bedside-to-Bench-and-Back” approach to translating the most promising research into medical practice to improve patient health and quality of life. For more information see: http://www.favresearch.org