Cancer Society breakfast to put focus on funding for research

PROVIDENCE – On Oct. 9, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Inc., will hold a breakfast featuring a cross-section of Rhode Island leaders to address the need to increase funding for cancer research.
The focus is on the need for Congress to restore federal funding for cancer research so that progress can continue against a disease that kills nearly 1,600 people in the United States each day.
“Cancer research offers hope to the millions of people who face this dreaded disease here in Rhode Island, and beyond – hope for better treatments, for more opportunities to prevent and detect the disease early, and for improved quality of life for those already diagnosed,” said Susan Roberts, action network government relations director in Rhode Island.
“But advancements could be in jeopardy if reductions in federal funding slow or halt the progress of new grants and promising research in the pipeline,” she said.
The action network is based in Washington, D.C.
Sponsored in part by Ocean State Job Lot, CVS Health Corp. and Amica Mutual Insurance Co., the event here will bring together leaders from the business, education, medical, government and research communities to advance the network’s mission to make cancer a national priority.
Vic Vetters, vice president and general manager of WJAR-TV NBC 10 will serve as moderator. The breakfast will take place at 9 a.m. at the Hope Club.
“Thanks to the generosity of the Rhode Island business community, we are sending a message to Congress: In order to save lives and improve our economy, we must continue to support federally funded cancer research,” said Bernie Jackvony, chairman of the second annual event. “We are especially grateful for the support of our main sponsor, Rhode Island’s own Ocean State Job Lot, and the many other local businesses that have stepped up to help promote cancer research funding.”
Other event sponsors include the University of Rhode Island, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Bryant University, Eisai, WJAR and Rhode Island Hospital.
“Cancers touch us all, from children to parents, friends and neighbors,” said Marc Perlman, CEO of Ocean State Job Lot. “Thousands of researchers and medical personnel head to work each day with the hope of defeating these diseases. Money fuels this process. Those of us that have a little extra can take pride in supporting the team.”
More than 80 percent of federal funding for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute is spent on biomedical research projects at research facilities across the country. In fiscal 2014 researchers in Rhode Island received $144.5 million in NIH funding, which supported more than 2,250 jobs across the state.
For more information, contact Roberts at Susan.Roberts@cancer.org or (401) 243-2620.

No posts to display