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(CNN) - If you're well tuned to the Super Bowl this Sunday, you may see a veterinary research ad with a very, very good dog. It's Scout, and this is its story.
David MacNeil, executive president of the car accessories manufacturer WeatherTech, discovered last summer that Scout, his golden retriever, had a heart tumor. The 7-year-old dog was diagnosed with cancer in the walls of his blood vessels, reported WMTV, a CNN affiliate, and had a 1% chance of survival.
"There I was in this little room, standing in the corner," MacNeil told WMTV. “I moved my tail. And I thought 'I won't let that dog dog die. There is simply no way. ”
So MacNeil took Scout to the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, where the team put him on a chemotherapy and radiation treatment to attack his tumor.
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Now, that tumor has almost disappeared.
MacNeil was so happy with the result that he wanted everyone to know, so he also wanted to raise awareness about cancer in dogs.
Then, the man bought a $ 6 million ad that will air during the February 2020 Super Bowl.
The 30-second announcement features Scout going through a treatment and running through the WeatherTech facility. In the end, viewers are shown a link where they can donate to the UW veterinary school.
When WMTV asked him why he didn't donate money directly to the school, MacNeil said he wants viewers to show their support through donations.
Mark Markel, dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, praised the announcement.
"This is an incredible opportunity not only for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the College of Veterinary Medicine, but for veterinary medicine worldwide," Markel told WMTV. "We are delighted to share with Super Bowl viewers how our profession benefits loved animals like Scout and also helps people."
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