Virginia's two NCI Designated Centers will see a significant increase in their research funding in the upcoming fiscal year! The state budget includes $5 million for the VCU Massey Cancer Center in Richmond and $3 million for the UVA Cancer Center in Charlottesville. This success came in large part due to the recommendation of the Legislative Joint Commission on Healthcare Workgroup in which Keenan Caldwell, State Director of Government Relations, served on forξtwo years. In years past these two centers only received $1 million each in state appropriations. The funding will enable them to work towards the goal of becoming NCI Comprehensive Cancer Centers. The centers have indicated that they plan to use this additional funding to work with other cancer centers in the state in an effort to expand the availability of clinical trials.
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.