Newswise — Members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers (ADCC) will brief members of Congress, their staffs and members of the Bush administration on the impact of planned cuts to the budget of the National Institutes for Health on Tuesday, June 13, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in room HC-6 of the Capitol Building.
The ADCC is comprised of scientists and physicians from the country's 10 freestanding cancer centers, all national and international leaders in cancer care and research. ADCC members include the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. Michael Caligiuri, director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Center, will lead the discussion. Caligiuri says planned cutbacks threaten cancer research nationwide, as well as the ability of cancer centers to attract and retain patients to early-stage, cutting-edge clinical trials " trials that are critical to advancing knowledge that could one day lead to a cure.
"These cuts may well mean that millions of dollars in dedicated research will be lost. We believe that is irresponsible to patients, researchers and American taxpayers. Despite our many research breakthroughs, cancer remains a serious challenge: One in two American men and one in three women will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime."
Breast cancer survivor Stefanie Spielman of Columbus will also address the gathering, reflecting on her experience in several clinical trials and what it means to her as a survivor, a mother, a patient advocate and fundraiser.
The ADCC will conclude the briefing with a reception and presentation of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers 2006 Congressional Leadership Award to Rep. Deborah Pryce in recognition of her leadership in advancing cancer-specific causes and issues at both the state and national levels.
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