Collins Confirmed as NIH Director| Friends of Cancer Research

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Collins Confirmed as NIH Director

Dr. Francis Collins Confirmed as NIH Director by Unanimous Consent

Dr. Francis Collins

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Tuesday approved the nomination of Dr. Francis Collins, President Obama's nominee for NIH Director, the nomination was sent to the Senate floor earlier today and approved by unanimous consent.

Friends of Cancer Research would like to congratulate Dr. Francis Collins on his confirmation. The United States is at a pivotal moment in biomedical research and innovation, and the leadership that Dr. Collins will bring to the NIH is paramount to advance the science that will better patient's lives.

Dr. Collins has proven to have the integrity and skill to work with Congress on pressing issues, and has shown to be an outstanding leader, manager, and exceptional communicator while serving at the NIH.

While serving as Director of the NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute, Dr. Collin's has shown incredible leadership and vision while overseeing the Human Genome Project, and has stimulated the field of genomics and personalize medicine. Dr. Collins's talent to interpret the science of the human genome into medicine will bring an important vision to the future challenges that NIH faces.

Friends of Cancer Research looks forward to working with Dr. Collins to ensure that our country continues its leadership in scientific research and innovation across the world, bringing hope to patients and their families battling this horrible disease.

For a full bio of Dr. Collins CLICK HERE

White House, House of Representatives and Senate FY 2010 Budget Numbers for NIH

President Obama budget request to Congress for FY10
$30.759 billion for NIH for fiscal year 2010, an increase of $443 million (1.5%) over 2009 appropriations levels.

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations FY10

$31.259 billion for NIH for fiscal year 2010, an increase of $942 million (3.1%) over 2009 appropriations levels.

The U.S. Senate Appropriations FY10
$30.8 billion** for NIH for fiscal year 2010, an increase of $442 million (1.45%) over 2009 appropriations levels.

The Appropriations Process Next Steps:

When both chambers have passed their appropriations bills, leaders in the House and Senate will meet in conference to negotiate the differences between the bills. After both the House and Senate approve the conference report, it will be sent to President Obama for signature (Due by October 1st).

**Note: This number has been approved by the Labor HHS Subcomittee, the full Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to vote on this number soon.

Friends Sponsors Hill Briefing With C-Change

Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) Speaks at Hill Briefing

On Monday July 20th, Friends of Cancer Research sponsored a Hill briefing with C-Change titled: "Realizing the Potential of Cancer-Preventing Drugs and Vaccines." The briefing was held in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Sen. Feinsteinn gave a welcome where she spoke about the urgent need to focus on Cancer prevention and cures.

Dr. Victor Vogel, Chief Medical Officer of the American Cancer Society gave and introduction and acted as moderator for a panel discussion that included: Ronald B. Herberman, MD, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute; Frank Meyskens, MD, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center University of California - Irvine; Samir N. Khleif, MD, National Cancer Institute / Food and Drug Administration; Catherine P. Bennett, MA, JD, Cancer Survivor, Prevent Cancer Foundation Board; Bruce Pyenson, FSA, MAAA, Milliman, Inc.

The panel discussed how, as a Nation, we are missing important opportunities to reduce the burden of cancer, further accelerate the national priority of disease prevention, and to maintain and advance our position as a global leader in science.

Panelists also discussed several major barriers that deter the research community and businesses from investing time, attention, and funding in chemoprevention research.

Solutions to these issues were presented by all panelists regarding how cancer-preventing drug and vaccine research should be prioritized and well funded, how the drug approval process should be updated to support the science and accelerate discovery and reimbursement for cancer-preventing agents should be provided to assure patient access.

Tom Kean, MPH, Executive Director of C-Change closed the briefing with a summary of the discussion and thanked all of the participants.

New York Times Op-Ed "To Fight Cancer, Know the Enemy"

By James D. Watson

The National Cancer Institute, which has overseen American efforts on researching and combating cancers since 1971, should take on an ambitious new goal for the next decade: the development of new drugs that will provide lifelong cures for many, if not all, major cancers. Beating cancer now is a realistic ambition because, at long last, we largely know its true genetic and chemical characteristics. This was not the case when President Richard Nixon and Congress declared a "war on cancer" more than 35 years ago. As a member of the new National Cancer Advisory Board, I argued that money for "pure cancer research"

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Well Wishes To Senator Dodd:

All of us at Friends of Cancer Research would like to extend our well wishes to Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecicut. Our thoughts are with him and his family as he begins his treatment and heads toward a full recovery.

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