The Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis announced this week the establishment of a new research center dedicated to advanced breast cancer research.

“While we have made major strides in the treatment of breast cancer, far too many women still die from this disease, and others endure long-lasting side effects from treatments,” Jay L. Hess, MD, PhD, MHSA, dean of the Indiana University School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement. “With the establishment of this center, we are putting a big stake in the ground and redoubling our efforts to find solutions for these women.”

The center, the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research, is named after the Indiana-based handbag manufacturer, known for helping fund breast cancer research throughout the state, and its charitable foundation. The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer is committing $2.5 million to establish the center, and Indiana University is matching that investment. Overall, the foundation has now committed $37.5 million to study breast cancer at the university.

“No one has done more to support breast cancer research in our state than the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, and I cannot imagine a more fitting namesake for our center,” Hess said in the same statement.

The school is currently searching for a director of the center. The director will lead approximately 30 Indiana University School of Medicine researchers and bring in additional specialists when necessary.