Seattle (WA) - As Congressman Jim McDermott stepped behind the podium at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, he looked out at a room full of doctors, researchers, patients, the local business community and ACS CAN volunteers. His message was clear - funding cancer research does more than just lead to lifesaving medical breakthroughs, it pours money back into local economies and creates jobs. Congressman McDermott went on to share stories about how he works with his fellow Members of Congress to build support for increased funding for cancer and medical research at the National Institutes of Health. His words were of particular interest to Dr. Oliver Press, a member of the Clinical Research Division at the Hutchinson Center who has been conducting innovative research in the field of leukemia and lymphoma. For more than 25 years, Dr. Press and his colleagues have developed a highly effective way to spare normal cells while blasting cancer with high doses of radiation. However, due to funding concerns last year he was forced to stall his research for five months, lay off staff and turn patients away. He was proud to say that funding was restored in August, but they continue to feel the effects. Cancer survivor Lisa Verner, a patient of Dr. Press, put a real face on the story. Ms. Verner emphasized the lifesaving importance of research and clinical trials like the ones conducted at the Hutchinson Center. "I can proudly say that as of this week I am a 5 year cancer survivor because of Dr. Press' research and my participation in a clinical trial," said Ms. Verner. While lauding the success of Dr. Press and Ms. Verner, ACS CAN President Chris Hansen also pointed out that 2012 will be another challenging year to bolster funding for cancer research. "The budget the president released last week flat-funded NIH," said Hansen. "ACS CAN was deeply disappointed, especially because the importance of cancer research was highlighted during the State of the Union address. WeÈre calling on Congress to reinstate research funding, but the process is playing out against the backdrop of the November elections. "The task may not be easy, but it is imperative. The urgency is measured in lives that have been lost and lives that can be saved. Putting an end to cancer is the right thing to do, right now," said Hansen. The event was jointly sponsored by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the Hutchinson Center to promote the importance of federal funding for cancer research and its impact beyond just medicine. ACS CAN has held similar events in collaboration with The Ohio State University James Cancer Center in Columbus, Ohio; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas; UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center in San Diego, California; and The University of Alabama Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center in Birmingham, Alabama.
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.