WASHINGTON, D.C. -- May 8, 2008 -- “On behalf of the millions of cancer patients, survivors and their families, we commend Senator Kennedy for the work he, his committee and Senator Hutchison are doing to reinvigorate the federal commitment to defeating cancer.
Nearly 7 in 10 voters believe Congress and the White House should boost the federal investment in cancer research and early detection programs following five straight years of frozen or cut funding, and nearly 9 in 10 voters support a dedicated cancer fund within the federal budget to help restore cancer funding to its necessary levels, according to a national poll released today.
Cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers across the country are counting on Senators to vote in support of the additional $400 million for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) contained in the supplemental funding package that the Senate Committee on Appropriations will consider on Thursday.
“Members from both sides of the aisle came together in the United States Senate today to voice their overwhelming support for cancer patients and their loved ones, approving a budget amendment that includes a 10.2 percent increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
In his final budget proposal, President Bush once again has proposed to fund cancer research and prevention programs at levels that are wholly inadequate to wage an effective war on cancer, which killed an estimated 560,000 people in America last year.
Cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones will join the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) tonight to send a message to President Bush and Congress that federal funding for groundbreaking cancer research and lifesaving prevention and early detection programs should be a national priority.
Cancer patients and their loved ones are saddened that Congress, at the insistence of the President, has for the fifth consecutive year put forward appropriations legislation essentially flat funding cancer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Cancer patients and their loved ones are frustrated and disappointed that Congress fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the president’s veto of the Labor HHS appropriations bill that includes funds to provide for much needed increases in cancer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
President Vetoes Labor, Health And Human Services, And Education Appropriations Bill