Funding

[RandyW]

National Cancer Institutes Strategic Plan for 2008 Research funds. This is an 81 page document link;

http://strategicplan.nci.nih.gov/pdf/nc ... c_plan.pdf

Lungevity and American Lung Cancer Society Funding;

http://www.lungevity.org/site/epage/15818_447.htm

Other Funding Links to NCI here;

http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/organizations

CDC 2007 Budget request;

http://www.cdc.gov/fmo/PDFs/FY07budgetreqsummary.pdf

American Cancer Societys Take on 2007 Budget Read on

American Cancer Society Reacts to President's Proposed Budget

Statement made by Daniel E. Smith, National Vice President, Federal and State Government Relations

Washington 2006/02/07 -“The American Cancer Society is deeply disappointed that the President proposed a cut in funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in his budget for Fiscal Year 2007. At a time when we are reaping the return on our sustained investments in the fight against cancer with continuing decline in death rates, we should be accelerating our investments and progress, not retreating from our commitment. The President himself has said, “in order to win the war against cancer we must fund the war against cancer,” and in proclaiming National Cancer Control month last April said, “aggressive funding will lead scientists to earlier diagnoses and improved treatments for lung, colorectal and other cancers.” The budget he has proposed is far from adequate to fulfill the pledge for “aggressive funding.” In 2002, the Bush Administration challenged the country to strive to eliminate suffering and death from cancer by the year 2015. Last summer, bipartisan majorities comprising 280 House members and 92 Senators signed a letter embracing this goal. Yet, after cutting the budget of the NCI and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) last year and proposing more cuts this year, the Administration and Congress are moving us further off the path needed to approach that hopeful goal. We understand the financial problems facing this country. However, turning our attention to a growing deficit does not require that we turn our backs on cancer patients, survivors and their families. Cancer costs this nation an estimated $210 billion a year in direct medical costs, lost wages and lost productivity. In 1971, President Nixon proclaimed war against cancer and between 1998 and 2003 we took a giant step forward in the fight when we doubled the budget of the NIH, demonstrating that our nation can be fiscally responsible and still dedicate the necessary resources to important national priorities and life-saving health programs. But despite advancements made from past investments and extraordinary opportunities that now exist to make exponential progress in this fight against American’s most feared disease, policymakers are inexplicably changing their tune as exemplified by the President’s budget proposal and Congress’ vote this past December to cut NIH funding for the first time in 35 years. The diminished funding to NIH and NCI comes just as we have begun to witness the return on these investments. From 1991-2002, the death rates for cancer declined nearly 10 percent, saving around 321,000 lives—a direct result of this nation’s investment in preventing, detecting and treating the disease. The government’s commitment is also critical outside the laboratory. Since 1991, nearly 2.5 million uninsured and low-income women have received lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screening exams through the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, resulting in the diagnoses of nearly 23,000 breast cancer cases and more than 75,000 cases of pre-cancerous cervical lesions. Despite the success of this program, only 20 percent of eligible American women have access to it, and the budget announced yesterday provides no new dollars for the program. The Society is calling on lawmakers to reauthorize and increase funding this year by $45 million, enough to provide life-saving screenings for at least an additional 130,000 women. The Society and its sister organization the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM will fight against these cuts by mobilizing survivors, caregivers and other volunteers. In the last several weeks, more than 10,000 of our volunteers sent postcards to the President asking him to make fighting cancer a national priority; and during the last appropriations battle, more than 23,000 of them contacted their Members of Congress asking them to oppose federal funding cuts. Many of these volunteers are beneficiaries of federally funded cancer research and programs, personifying the passion and importance of them. These volunteers and thousands of other cancer advocates will not rest until this nation returns to course in aggressively fighting cancer and will come together this September on the Capitol for the Society’s Celebration on the Hill to make sure their voices are heard. Cancer is the leading cause of death for Americans under age 85, and 1. 4 million people will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. There are 10 million cancer survivors living in America today. The Society stands with them and looks forward to working with the White House, Congress and all policymakers to restore funding for critical cancer research and programs and reinstate our nation’s lead in fighting the disease.” The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across America. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. ###

Colleen Wilber

Media Advocacy Manager

American Cancer Society

202-661-5772

colleen.wilber@cancer.org