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DENVER/Aug. 23 – Morris Animal Foundation is now accepting research proposals aimed at further understanding canine immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, an uncommon but serious disease. 

The Foundation is particularly interested in research and development efforts focused on the following areas: 

  • Improving diagnosis and identification of IMHA subtypes, and/or correlation of subtypes and outcomes 
  • Strengthening and/or individualizing treatments, including optimizing antithrombotic therapy  

IMHA is characterized by the destruction of red blood cells by the body's own immune system. Survival statistics are grim. Mortality rates for dogs with IMHA range between 50-75%, with many dogs dying in the first few weeks after diagnosis. 

This call for proposals is being funded by Allen and Barbara Dearry and is inspired by their young whippet, Clark, who is living through his diagnosis of IMHA after a year of significant interventions. More information on Clark’s IMHA journey is available on the Foundation’s website. The Dearrys hope to support much-needed IMHA research to help dogs and dog owners everywhere have lives free of this uncommon but deadly disease. 

The deadline for proposals is Nov. 15, 2023. Interested researchers are encouraged to begin the application process using Fluxx, our online application system.  

More information on the application process is available on the Foundation’s Grants page. Any inquiries that remain unanswered by our FAQ page can be directed to [email protected]

Scientific Advisory Board

  • Maristela Camargo, DVM, PhD, University of São Paulo
  • Anthony (Tony) Carr, DMV, DACVIM, University of Saskatchewan
  • Claire Fellman, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVCP, Tufts University
  • Robert Goggs, BVSc, PhD, DACVECC, DECVECC, Cornell University
  • Linda Kidd, DVM, PhD, DACVIM-SAIM, Zoetis US Diagnostics
  • John Thomason, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), Mississippi State University
  • R. Darren Wood, DVM UPEI, DVSc Guelph, DACVP, University of Guelph
  • Andrew Woolcock, DVM, DACVIM-SAIM, Purdue University
  • Sunita Driehuys, VMD, DAVBP (General Practitioner), Kindred Heart Animal Hospital

About Morris Animal Foundation 
Morris Animal Foundation’s mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding nearly $160 million in more than 3,000 critical animal health studies to date across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org

Media Contact: Annie Mehl