Press Room

Share

Cancer Research Groups Push Emergency Funding to Restart Clinical Trials in Infrastructure Package

Estimated $10 Billion Necessary to Recoup Pandemic-Related Costs and Delays

May 3, 2021

Washington, D.C.—A group of more than fifty cancer research-focused organizations are urging Congress to include $10 billion in emergency funding to restart cancer research and clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) stalled by the coronavirus pandemic.  In a letter sent to lawmakers, members of the One Voice Against Cancer Coalition say without the additional resources in the forthcoming American Jobs Plan, promising research will languish and potentially be lost entirely.

A statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, follows:

“The pandemic’s impact on cancer research has been severe. Early shutdowns forced research to come to an abrupt halt, and restarting trials has required implementing new protocols, procuring personal protective equipment and sometimes restarting work altogether that otherwise could not be resumed. The cost of these disruptions has been significant and threatens to jeopardize progress in the effort to reduce our country’s cancer burden for years to come.

“Clinical trials are often the best and sometimes only course of treatment for patients in need of care. On behalf of all cancer patients, survivors and their families, we urge Congress to include this additional NIH funding in the American Jobs Plan and ensure medical research can keep moving forward without delay.”

Read the full letter.

More Press Releases AboutCancer Research Funding, National

Media Contacts

Allison Miller
Director, Media Advocacy
Washington, D.C.
[email protected]
202-585-3241
Alissa Crispino
Vice President, Media Advocacy & Communications
Washington, D.C.
[email protected]
202-661-5772

Related Press Releases

March 21, 2024

Congress Considers FY24 Appropriations Bill That Prioritizes Cancer Research and Proven Cancer Screening Funding Amidst Difficult Budget Cycle

WASHINGTON, D.C.— March 21, 2024 — Today, Congress released a series of spending bills aimed to finalize FY2024 funding that includes a $300 million increase in funding for the National Health Institute (NIH) base budget, including a $120 million increase in discretionary funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a modest $500,000 increase for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cancer screening and prevention programs and maintains the current funding level for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) at $1.5 billion. At NIH, the bill also includes a first-time appropriation of $12.5 million in dedicated funding for the development of palliative care research at NIH and a new $6 million initiative for Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes. Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the bill includes a $110 million for the Prostate Cancer Research Program. 

Read More
March 24, 2023

New Jersey is taking a giant leap forward in the war against cancer. Here's how

The following originally appeared in the Asbury Park Press on March 24, 2023.

 

Read more
March 11, 2024

President’s FY25 Budget Prioritizes Funding for Cancer Research and Prevention

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is pleased to see President Biden’s continued focus on and dedication to achieving the goal of the Cancer Moonshot to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

Read more