Press Room

Share

Ad Campaign Highlights Cancer Moonshot; Urges Congress to Prioritize Cancer Research Funding

June 22, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. June 22, 2016 The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) launched a new ad campaign this week to focus public and congressional attention on the need to boost federal funding for cancer research. The ads acknowledge the historic opportunity the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative offers to accelerate progress in a disease that will kill 595,000 people in America this year 1,600 today. The ads will run in Capitol Hill print publications and online in national outlets coinciding with both the ongoing Congressional budget process and the June 29 National Cancer Moonshot Summit being held at Howard University. Federally-funded cancer research is the engine behind our ongoing fight against cancer. A substantial funding increase nowäóîwhen we 're on the cusp of so many promising new diagnostic tools and innovative treatmentsäóîhas the potential to change the course of this disease and rapidly accelerate the pace of progress, said Chris Hansen, president of ACS CAN. We urge lawmakers to seize this rare opportunity and significantly increase funding so we as a nation can maximize opportunities to bring lab discoveries from the bench to the bedside. The ad campaign features the iconic image of astronaut Buzz Aldrin taking his first steps on the moon juxtaposed with a researcher, illustrating the historic opportunity Congress has to significantly advance progress in the fight against cancer. The print ads paraphrase astronaut Neil Armstrong 's famous One small step for man quote, connecting the One giant leap for mankind language with cancer research and calling the quest to conquer cancer the next great frontier. The Moonshot provides hope to the nearly 1.7 million Americans who will be diagnosed this year and the nearly 15.5 million cancer survivors to whom we are committed to developing new early detection tests and improved, targeted treatments, said Hansen. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) budgets have been severely constrained in recent years, but last year for the first time in more than a decade, members of Congress from both sides of the aisle came together to increase funding. To fully get research budgets back on track and make up for lost time, consistent and robust funding increases year over year are critical. The ads are part of ACS CAN 's ongoing #OneDegree campaign, which underscores the reality that everyone is just one degree from a beloved family member, friend or co-worker who has been diagnosed with cancer. Since the launch of the campaign, thousands of volunteers across the country have contacted their members of Congress to urge them to prioritize cancer research funding in the federal budget. To view the ads, click here. To learn more about ACS CAN 's One Degree campaign visit: www.fightcancer.org/onedegree 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. For More Information, Contact: Allison Miller or Alissa Crispino American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Phone: 202-585-3241 or 202-661-5772 Email: [email protected] or allison[email protected] #acscan #cancer #moonshot #NIH #NCI #research

More Press Releases AboutCancer Research Funding

Related Press Releases

September 10, 2024

Arizonans Affected by Cancer Honored with Tribute

Cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers gathered in Phoenix to honor Arizonans affected by the disease, Tuesday evening. The event, hosted at Dignity Health Cancer Institute at St. Joseph’s, was organized by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) as part of Lights of Hope Across America, the organization’s signature fundraiser aimed at strengthening the mission of reducing the cancer burden for everyone. The display included dozens of lit bags, each representing an Arizonan touched by the disease. 

Read More
August 30, 2024

New Poll: Majority of Ohio Voters say Affordable Health Care is Critical

COLUMBUS, OHIO – A recent poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) shows 8 in 10 (87%) Ohio voters view a candidate’s position on access to affordable, comprehensive health coverage as a vote-determining factor.

Read more
August 29, 2024

Nevadans Affected by Cancer Honored with Powerful Tribute

Cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers gathered near the Las Vegas Strip to honor Nevadans affected by the disease, Wednesday evening. Lights of Hope  was organized by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) to help strengthen its mission of reducing the cancer burden for everyone and shed light on public policies that would aid in the fight against cancer. The tribute included dozens of lit bags, each donning the name of a Nevadan that’s been touched by cancer. 

Read more