Washington, D.C. – January 24, 2011 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is launching a new print and online advertising campaign today that urges Congress to increase funding for cancer research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), so that past federal investments do not go to waste.
The ad, which is running in print and online in Capitol Hill publications beginning today, features a beaker with text that reads, “There’s promising cancer research in this beaker thanks to past federal funding.” It goes on to say, “Without additional funding, this powerful not-kidding-around science might just sit here as millions of families sit out there.”
“In tough economic times, it is important that ending dying and suffering from cancer remain a top national priority for our elected officials,” said Christopher W. Hansen, president of ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. “Researchers are making incredible progress in the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer, but without continued federal support these potential breakthroughs may never leave the lab.”
The new advertising campaign is timed to coincide with the president’s State of the Union address. Two years ago, President Obama said we would double cancer research funding in the next eight years. However, if currently proposed funding levels for fiscal year 2012 become a reality, fewer than 1 in 6 research grants will be approved, the lowest grant approval rate since President Nixon declared war on cancer 40 years ago.
ACS CAN is calling on Congress and the President to work together to fund cancer research at levels that will maintain support for ongoing promising research, and well-established evidence-based prevention programs. The federal government continues to be the largest financial supporter of cancer research, and research funded by the NIH and the National Cancer Institute has played a major role in every major advancement in the fight against cancer over the last 70 years.
To view the ad, please visit: http://bit.ly/ehWOtU
To learn more about ACS CAN’s efforts to increase federal funding for cancer research and critical cancer control programs, please visit: www.fightcancer.org/research
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Lauren Walens or Steve Weiss
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: (202) 661-5763 or (202) 661-5711
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
