Cancer research didn’t save my aunt’s life. But only a few years later, the list of treatments that would be available to her has rapidly grown. Perhaps 10 years from now, no one will have to die from the cancer Aunt Dorothy had. Cures take time, but every day brings us one step closer.

That’s why increased and sustained funding for research is so critical to the fight against cancer. Right now there could be a researcher in a lab relying on federal funding who could be a few years away from a major breakthrough. If that funding disappears, future patients may never benefit from their work.

Money allocated by Congress for the National Cancer Institute is funded directly back to local cancer centers and universities to support basic research at its early stages.

We are all #OneDegree from cancer. Everyone knows someone – whether it’s a friend or loved one. More than 1.7 million people will be newly diagnosed with cancer this year and all of them will be relying on research to treat it.

I’m asking Congressman Brian Babin to increase funding for cancer research and provide hope to the millions facing a diagnosis now or in the future.

 

Nancy Neel

Silsbee, Texas

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Volunteer