C3 Helps Secure $15 Million for New Cancer Research Program

As a result of C3’s advocacy efforts, $15 million for a new peer reviewed cancer research program is included in the final Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill.

The program will research cancers, like colorectal cancer, that are not addressed in the breast, prostate, lung and ovarian cancer research programs run by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command (USAMRMC).  In addition to colorectal cancer research, the funds will be used to conduct research in the following areas: melanoma and other skin cancers, pediatric brain tumors within the field of childhood cancer research, genetic cancer research and genomic medicine, kidney cancer, blood cancer, Listeria Vaccine for infectious disease and cancer, and radiation protection utilizing nanotechnology.

The $15 million in funding for this new cancer research program was included at the request of Representatives Kay Granger (R-TX) and Jim Moran (D-VA).

When C3 started coming together in late 2004, folks were talking about the fact that the Department of Defense funded cancer research and colorectal cancer wasn’t included.

On Monday, December 21, 2009, President Obama signed the Defense Appropriations bill which now includes $15 million for an expansion of that program to include colorectal cancer. Why? Because we (C3) made it happen. It’s what C3 is about (being squeaky wheels to help fight colorectal cancer).

My colleagues and our advocates are amazing.