In an expression of support for increasing funding for cancer research and prevention, the Bidens earlier this week endorsed the National Cancer Research Month.
Thirteen years ago, the American Association for Cancer Research asked Congress to declare May the National Cancer Research Month. This declaration has made through congressional resolutions in 2007, 2011, and 2014, and efforts are underway to renew the resolution this year.
In a May 25 letter to AACR, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden reiterate the White House’s request to Congress to fund the $6.5 billion Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health at the NIH (The Cancer Letter, April 30, 2021).
“My Administration continues to push for groundbreaking discoveries and innovative treatments to make cancer a thing of the past,” Biden wrote. “That is why I am asking Congress to fund the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health at the National Institutes of Health, which would invest billions of dollars for one singular purpose: to develop breakthroughs that prevent, detect, and treat cancer and other deadly diseases.”
Biden’s full budget proposal for FY2022, expected May 28, has not been released at this writing (The Cancer Letter, April 9, 2021).
The statements from AACR, ASCO, AACI, and NCCS follow:
Chief policy officer,
Vice president for science policy and government affairs,
American Association for Cancer Research
Each year, the AACR leads an effort to engage with policymakers, researchers, physician-scientists, patients, survivors, and other advocates to highlight the vital importance of funding for cancer research, especially at the NIH and NCI, through an initiative to celebrate May as National Cancer Research Month. The bipartisan support this effort receives is a testament to our nation’s recognition that cancer research is saving more and more lives every day.
This year, we especially appreciate the leadership of Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) for introducing Senate Resolution 253, a resolution supporting the designation of May 2021 as National Cancer Research Month.
Their support helps to raise public awareness about today’s exciting progress against cancer and the enormous promise for preventing and curing more cancers in the future because of cancer research.
In addition, we are also are deeply grateful to President Biden for his strong letter of support in recognizing the importance of National Cancer Research Month, as well as for his extraordinary and ongoing commitment to ending cancer as we know it.”
Chief medical officer,
American Society of Clinical Oncology
We continue to be encouraged by President Biden’s deep commitment to end cancer as we know it. We’ve made incredible progress in the 50 years since the National Cancer Act of 1971 was signed into law, and in the past 30 years alone, the cancer death rate has fallen 31%. However, there is much more work to do. Even during a global pandemic, cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the United States. We are fortunate to be living in a time when cancer research is flourishing – a time when our community does not lack for ideas or interest in conquering cancer. Unfortunately, funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has not kept up with research opportunities and the potential for far greater progress. During this National Cancer Research Month, we are calling for a robust increase in funding for the NCI so that we can continue to provide hope for the millions of Americans personally impacted by cancer.
Executive director,
Association of American Cancer Institutes
President Biden’s recognition of May as National Cancer Research Month presents a unique opportunity for AACI and its 102 cancer center members to increase awareness of cancer research’s central role in advancing progress for patients with cancer, across North America and around the world.
We continue to work with our champions in Congress, the president and his administration in extending our contributions to the federal government’s accelerated effort to eradicate cancer.
CEO,
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
I am pleased that President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have sent their best wishes regarding National Cancer Research Month. Of greater importance to the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) is the unwavering commitment of the President and First Lady – every day, week, and month – to ‘ending this disease as we know it.’
By fighting for more resources for cancer research, identifying research priorities and promising research opportunities, and proposing innovations like the Advanced Research Projects Authority for Health, President Biden is identifying ways to accelerate progress in cancer research and to bring us a cure.
We at NCCS want the cancer research effort to focus on finding less toxic treatments and developing treatments that provide cancer survivors not only longer life but a high-quality life. We hope to ensure that the cancer survivorship experience is one of good life and good health and not one of dealing with late and long-term effects of cancer and cancer treatment.
We urge Congress to work with President Biden to generously fund cancer research and support innovations in cancer research. NCCS stands with the President in these efforts.”
The full text of the Bidens’ letter follows:
Jill and I send our best wishes to all those participating in National Cancer Research Month at the American Association for Cancer Research. Like so many others, cancer is deeply personal for our family. As President, I am committed to ending this disease as we know it. Organizations like AACR are crucial partners in the fight to end cancer. We are on the cusp of breakthroughs that will save lives, and we must continue our efforts to support the research needed to find a cure.
Despite the incredible advancements we have made in recent years, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States. Behind this statistic are millions of Americans who know the distress of receiving a cancer diagnosis and millions more who watch family members or friends courageously fight this disease—but too often succumb to it. Cancer is brutal and cruel. It inflicts an incalculable human toll on patients and their loved ones—a toll that strikes communities of color at disproportionately high rates.
My Administration continues to push for groundbreaking discoveries and innovative treatments to make cancer a thing of the past. That is why I am asking Congress to fund the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health at the National Institutes of Health, which would invest billions of dollars for one singular purpose: to develop breakthroughs that prevent, detect, and treat cancer and other deadly diseases. The hard work and dedication of organizations like AACR are crucial to making this vision into a reality.
While we have made incredible progress against this indiscriminate disease, we must also reaffirm our national commitment to preventing cancer, improving treatments and the delivery of care, and finding a cure. This includes efforts to advance research, increase prevention, promote early detection, enhance treatment, and support the needs of cancer survivors and caregivers.
It is within our power to end cancer as we know it. The mission of AACR to prevent and cure cancer serves as a beacon of hope for thousands of patients, families, and survivors. Thank you for your continued commitment and life-changing work.
