Public Funding of Colorectal Cancer Research and Programs

Research works. We have momentum in our war against colorectal cancer—this is no time to slow down! See our progress!

The Administration, through its National Cancer Institute (NCI), has set a bold goal of eliminating cancer death and suffering by the year 2015. The Nation’s Investment in Cancer Research, A Plan and Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2005; Prepared by the Director of the National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services.

C3 joins “One Voice Against Cancer” (OVAC), a coalition of forty-plus cancer organizations in our requests for cancer-related funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Policy makers and scientists concur that a funding increase of 8-10% is necessary to keep scientific discover moving forward. The Biomedical Research and Development Price Index for FY 05—the level of funding needed to keep up with inflation—is projected to be 3.5%.

President Bush’s budget for FY 05 proposes includes:

National Institutes of Health: 2.6% increase
National Cancer Institute: 2.8% increase
Centers for Disease Control and Protection Colorectal Cancer Program: flat funding with no increase

These funding levels—which don’t keep up with inflation—will slow the research which is helping patients with colorectal cancer. The NCI has made a commitment to end suffering related to cancer by 2015—can’t get there from here without the money!

We are pushing for patients with colorectal cancer! C3 is pushing Congress to support the Administration’s 2015 goals:

Support $30.2 Billion (an 8.5% Increase) for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Support $6.2 Billion (the professional judgment budget) for the National Cancer Institute (NCI)—click for NCI’s Professional Judgment Budget
Support $25 Million for the Colorectal Cancer Screening, Education & Outreach Initiative

C3 is opposed to anything less than an 8.5% funding increase for the NIH for FY 05. The Administration cannot fulfill its commitment to end suffering related to cancer by 2015 if it doesn’t keep the momentum going with adequate funding. Walk the walk! Don’t just “talk the walk.”

C3’s efforts include:

Formal communications (download One Voice letter, PDF file)
Congressional visits

Want to help? Help us push—urge Congress to support the 2015 goals!

This news article was originally posted on September 19th, 2005 and was accurate at the time of publication. Since then, information may have changed or links may now be outdated. Please call our Answer Line 1-877-427-2111 for the latest information, or talk to your doctor before making any medical decisions.

Posted by Judi Sohn on September 19th, 2005