Friends of Cancer Research Newsletter

NIH Funding Update

On December 21, 2005, the Senate approved by voice vote the FY 2006 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill that included a less than 1% increase of $253 million for the NIH -- a funding increase that falls below the medical inflation index. The same bill had already passed the house a week earlier by a vote of 215-213. In addition, the House and Senate both passed a FY 2006 defense spending bill (H.R. 2863) that included a 1 percent across-the-board cut for all discretionary programs (except for Department of Veterans Affairs programs).

These two measures combined now mean that NIH funding will be cut for the first time in 35 years. As we noted in a policy alert sent out electronically in late November of 2005, funding cuts at NIH will likely lead to delays and setbacks in high priority programs that hold tremendous hope for developing better tools for the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer.

By all indications, the 2006 budget and appropriations climate will be even more challenging as the NIH will likely be facing cuts of even greater magnitude. Advocates across the country who care about the urgent need for continued scientific progress in cancer research must be more proactive in 2006 and beyond about voicing our support for the strongest possible federal funding for biomedical research. [Read more]

Welcome

Welcome to the online edition of the Friends of Cancer Research "2005 Year in Review," which includes highlights from the past year's events and accomplishments.

In 1996, Friends of Cancer Research was founded with the vision of raising awareness about the importance of cancer research. As Friends commemorates its 10th Anniversary in 2006, we would like to thank everyone who has helped shape the organization’s success, this past year and this past decade, by dedicating their time and resources to the shared goal of accelerating the nation’s progress toward better tools for the prevention, early detection, and treatment of all cancers.

It is more important than ever this coming year to continue the fight for a stronger national commitment to cancer; our federal biomedical research institutions are facing looming budget cuts that will impact our nation's ability to capitalize on emerging breakthroughs in fields such as genomics and proteomics. In addition to conveying the importance of federal funding for cancer research, we must also ensure a climate that is politically, socially, and intellectually conducive to maximizing the scientific opportunities for great progress.

That is why, since its inception ten years ago, FOCR has been coordinating public, scientific, policy, and media outreach across the nation to provide education on issues related to the advancement of cancer research. We look forward to expanding this decade of progress into 2006 and beyond.

Wishing all of you a happy and healthy 2006,

Ellen Sigal (Chair) and Marlene Malek (President)

Below is a sampling of FOCR's 2005 Events & Accomplishments

> Public Outreach

Public Forum on Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

Friends of Cancer Research joined with the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center on February 7th to gather key stakeholders and experts for a public forum that focused on advancing the science of cancer prevention and early detection. The symposium drew an audience of over 200 guests, the discussion touched on a wide range of topics including the important role of continued bio-marker discovery, the process of carcinogenesis, federal budgetary constraints, and new modalities for cooperative research.

Moderated by Susan Dentzer of the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS, the panel included Congressman Michael Bilirakis (R-FL, 9^th, pictured above),Clifton Leaf, Executive Editor of Fortune Magazine, Dr. Anna Barker, Deputy Director, National Cancer Institute; Dr. Gerard T. Kennealey, VP, Medical Oncology, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals; Dr. Rick Pazdur, Director, Oncology Drug Products Division, Food and Drug Administration; and Dr. Thomas A. Sellers, Associate Center Director for Cancer Prevention and Control, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

GW Distinguished Lecture Series

Friends of Cancer Research partnered with the George Washington Cancer Institute in 2005 to host a Distinguished Lecture Series entitled "Cancer Health Policy, Delivery Systems, and Regulatory Affairs." Presented in conjunction with GW Department of Medicine and Medical Grand Rounds, the event featured lectures from key decision-makers such as Dr. Barry Straube (pictured at left) of CMS, Dr. Mark Clanton of the FDA, Dr. Lester Crawford of the FDA, and Dr. Richard Pazdur of the FDA.

FOCR Partners with Deloitte and Touche To Host Seminar on Breast Cancer

In October of 2005, Friends coordinated a web seminar on breast cancer with Deloitte and Touche in New York that featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Larry Norton (Medical Director of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering). The event also included a presentation on cancer advocacy from FOCR Chair Ellen Sigal in addition to a live question and answer session over the internet. The seminar, which was part of a series conducted by Deloitte’s Women’s Initiative (WIN), reached hundreds of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu employees nation-wide. (Pictured above from left to right: Dr. Ellen Sigal of FOCR, Dr. Larry Norton of Sloan-Kettering, and Ann Weisberg of Deloitte.)

FOCR Participates in Public Meeting on PDUFA

On November 14th, 2005, Friends of Cancer Research provided an advocacy perspective on the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) at a public meeting held at the National Institutes of Health. According to the FDA, this event marked the launch of the their "public process toward reauthorization of PDUFA, the law that allows the agency to help fund programs that have helped product developers get early and frequent advice about how to develop some of the last decades’ most innovative and important medicines." The meeting included a series of panels representing different stakeholder interest groups, such as patient advocates, consumer organizations, industry, health professionals and academic researchers.

> Policy Outreach

FOCR and AACI Host Day on Capitol Hill for Cancer Centers

On April 5th, 2005, Friends of Cancer Research joined with the Association of American Cancer Institutes to host a day of activities on Capitol Hill that focused on the importance of cancer centers to advancing research, patient care, and economic infrastructure. Featuring directors and senior representatives from 24 cancer centers representing 15 states and Washington D.C., the events included congressional office meetings, a lunch briefing for health staffers, and an evening reception for members and special guests. The Senate Cancer Coalition and the House Cancer Caucus co-sponsored the briefing and the reception. (Pictured at left, Dr, Weiner, Director of the Holden Cancer Center in Iowa, speaks with his state senator, Senator Harkin.)

FOCR and NPAF Partner To Testify Before Congress

On March 1st, 2005, Friends of Cancer Research and the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF) presented joint testimony on patient safety issues and the FDA before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Nancy Davenport-Ennis, CEO of NPAF, provided oral remarks that highlighted the key elements of the full statement submitted for the record. The testimony provided insights into the complex nature of cancer and explained why timely access to new technologies for the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer is so essential to patients.

FOCR Co-Hosts Hill Briefing on the Risks and Benefits of Prescription Drugs

_DSC0078 On July 20, 2005, Friends of Cancer Research co-hosted a non-partisan educational briefing for congressional staff about issues related to drug safety, efficacy, and access. The briefing provided a perspective from patients, physicians, and scientists and was conducted in partnership with five other non-profit organizations representing life-altering diseases including the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF), the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA), and the Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN). (Pictured at left: Moderator and Roll Call Executive Editor, Morton Kondracke.)

> Scientific Outreach

Biomarker Discovery Project

Friends of Cancer Research was again part of a cutting-edge scientific project in 2005 led by The Entertainment Industry Foundation and the Women’s Cancer Research Fund entitled "The Biomarker Discovery Project." This program will provide in excess of $15 million in research funding to multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional teams comprised of world-renowned scientists to identify and develop effective technologies for the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of women’s cancers. Friends’ formal role is to provide support and input on policy issues surrounding the project and Friends Chair, Dr. Ellen Sigal, serves on the oversight committee. The most recent developments include the formation of a seven institution consortium to do collaborative research on biomarker discovery. The goal of the consortium is to identify blood proteins that signal the presence of breast cancer and determine which provide information on the early detection of disease, prognosis for disease, or therapeutic response. Research has begun, and the first scientific meeting will be held at the Hutchinson Center on January 24, 2006.

The EIF annually joins with Saks Fifth Avenue to host a Hollywood gala that raises millions of dollars for the The Women’s Cancer Research Fund and their Biomarker Discover Project. Last year’s event honored Lance Armstrong and featured Comedian Robin Williams, Sheryl Crow, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Kate Capshaw, Natalie Cole and Jay Leno.

Pictured top left: Rick Klausner, M.D. (Chair, Biomarker Discovery Project Oversight Committee Executive Director, Global Health Programs for the The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), FOCR Chair Ellen Sigal, Tom Hanks, and Eric Lander, Ph.D. (Director, The Eli & Edythe L. Broad Institute.)

Announcement of Scientific Advisory Board

This past year, Friends of Cancer Research announced the formation of a Scientific Advisory Board. Comprised of leading scientists and physicians from around the country, the SAB provides independent scientific advice and recommendations to the organization on issues relevant to the advancement of cancer research.

EDRN Presentation to scientists on importance of advocacy

At the annual Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) Meeting held in April, Friends of Cancer Research gave a presentation on the importance of advocacy in the scientific community. Dr. Sigal serves on the Steering Committee for EDRN, an NCI-sponsored program that oversees the transition of new research findings from the laboratory into medical practice in the areas of early cancer detection and risk assessment.

> Media Outreach

In 2005, FOCR leaders published several op-eds and letters to the editor on key issues affecting cancer research. Below is a selection of some of the articles:

Chicago-Sun Times Op-Ed, Congress considers plan that would stall cancer research, December 3, 2005 [full article]

WSJ Letter to the Editor [full article]
Tampa Tribune Op-Ed, Stopping America’s No. 1 Killer, February 5, 2005 [full article]
Meeting with WSJ Editorial Board
NewsChannel 8 Midday Report

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

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