ACS CAN hosted an event on September 19 at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland for cancer advocates, patients and researchers to commemorate the progress being made in cancer research. The event, held at the NIH Clinical Center, was organized by local volunteers and showcased the critical role that patients and survivors play in cancer research and discoveries at NIH-funded efforts across the country. At the event, Molly Daniels, deputy president of ACS CAN, spoke about the importance of the NIH in making breakthroughs in cancer research, and the need for Congress to protect funding to continue this momentum. Two NIH researchers, Dr. Lee Helman, scientific director for clinical research at the National Cancer InstituteÈs Center for Cancer Research (CCR) and Dr. W. Marston Linehan, branch chief of the CCRÈs Urologic Oncology Branch, described their specific cancer research projects. Following the formal presentation, attendees were given a tour of the Clinical Center which included a few cancer research labs.
After months of delay and hard negotiations, Congress has finally passed a funding bill! The bill includes a small increase for cancer research and prevention programs.