Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) is a cancer research think tank and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. Friends is a leader in developing partnerships and advocating for policies that will get treatments and therapies to patients in the safest and quickest way possible. Working with federal health agencies, congressional leadership, academic research centers and private sector industry, Friends continues to create innovative educational, policy, and scientific approaches to improve health outcomes and cancer care. 

Founded to mark the 25th Anniversary of the National Cancer Act, Friends set out to organize highly effective public policy forums that bring together researchers, leaders of the FDA, NCI, and NIH, industry, elected officials, and patients to discuss critical issues and develop collaborative strategies to assist in the translation of research to treatments and therapies.

When she founded the organization in 1996, Dr. Ellen Sigal saw a compelling need to increase public awareness and support for cancer research and for increased scientific capacity across all federal health agencies. At that time Ellen was a Presidential Appointee to the National Cancer Advisory Board along with Marlene Malek, who joined Ellen in 1996 as President of Friends.

Friends of Cancer Research began tackling their mission by holding educational “town halls” across the nation, bringing leaders from science, industry, and academia to the district or home state of key members of congress. By doing so Ellen and Marlene were able to not only educate Senators and Congressmen and women, but create new champions for biomedical research.

Now, 15 years later, Friends of Cancer Research continues to expand upon its expertise in developing unique partnerships and creating a more open dialogue among both public and private sectors.

As a respected independent think tank, Friends is able to cut through bureaucratic red tape, put aside partisan politics and engage all stakeholders, producing real results.

Join us as we strive to bring new research, treatment, and hope to patients and families battling cancer.

Friends of Cancer Research is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization