DR. DOUGLAS LOWY TO KEYNOTE ACS CAN RESEARCH BREAKFAST

Acting Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to Join Political Leaders, Cancer Community, in Calling for Support of “National Cancer Moonshot” and Increased Federal Funding for Breakthrough Treatments 

WHAT:   The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, will host its ninth annual New England Research Breakfast. 

WHO:      Dr. Douglas Lowy, acting director, NCI; Dr. Edward Benz, president of Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Kelley Tuthill, formerWCVB television reporter and event emcee; Shalini Vallabhan, vice president of government relations, ACS CAN New England; Boston-based American Cancer Society funded researchers.

WHY:      Lifesaving cancer treatments have one thing in common – they begin with basic research led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NCI. However, innovation comes at a cost, and without the necessary funding to capitalize on the scientific opportunities of today, progress in the effort to eliminate death and suffering from cancer will slow. 

     Congress has the opportunity to make a commitment to the National Cancer Moonshot by increasing funding for the NIH and NCI – money that would be directed right back into the communities to fund young researchers at universities and institutions in every state.

     Federally-funded cancer research is the engine behind ongoing progress in the fight against cancer. Research offers hope to the millions of people who face cancer – for better treatments, for more opportunities to prevent and detect the disease early and for improved quality of life for those already diagnosed. Much of that research takes place right here in Massachusetts, and it is crucial that funding is made available for this progress continue.

WHEN:   7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 20, 2016 

WHERE: Revere Hotel, 200 Stuart Street, Boston

About ACS CAN

ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.  ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.

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