I had the privilege of participating in an ACS CAN event in Seattle yesterday that really illustrated the importance of federal funding for cancer research. We partnered with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to emphasize that research funding doesn't just fight cancer, it pours money back into local economies and creates jobs. At the event we sent a message to Congress that cancer research funding at the National Institutes of Health should be a top priority. We were pleased to welcome Rep. Jim McDermott from Washington's 7th Congressional District, who spoke about the importance of supporting medical research. Also in attendance were staff from other members of Congress, representatives of Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, and members of the Seattle business community.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is an impressive institution. At the event, Lawrence Corey, M.D., president and director of the Center, discussed examples of their groundbreaking projects that currently receive funding from NIH. One example that really caught my attention was they've pioneered research in stem cell and bone marrow transplants that has boosted survival rates for some leukemias from nearly zero to 90 percent. But the Center can't continue to do this type of research without federal grants from institutions like the NIH. Just last year, the Hutchinson Center relied on nearly $240 million in federal grants and contracts from NIH. Dr. Corey pointed out that nationally, on average, only 9 percent of all grant applications get funded - just think about the progress that could be made if NIH had the resources to fund 15 or even 20 percent of the promising grants! These federal grants go directly to researchers like Oliver W. Press, M.D., Ph.D., a member of the Hutchinson Center's Clinical Research Division, who also participated in the event. 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 some staff and turn patients away. He was proud to say that funding was restored in August, but they continue to feel the effects. A patient of Dr. Press', Lisa Verner, was there to tell us how Dr. Press' research treated her cancer. Lisa was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2002. She participated in Dr. Press' clinical trial in 2007 and was celebrating her five year anniversary of being cancer free with us! Lisa credited federal funding for her clinical trial for saving her life.
We need more success stories like Lisa's. That's why we're fighting hard at ACS CAN to increase federal funding for cancer research. Earlier this month, President Obama's FY 2013 budget proposal included cuts for research funding at the NIH and for prevention programs at the CDC. Congress is now beginning consideration of a budget resolution to establish funding levels for next year. The Seattle event was perfect timing for showcasing just how crucial sustaining funding for cancer research can be.
Mariah Forster Olson, an ACS CAN Ambassador Constituent Team Lead (ACT Lead), traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to share her story as a childhood cancer survivor and to advocate on behalf of other patients and survivors during the 2019 Childhood Cancer Action Days.