ACKC Secures $10 Million for Kidney Cancer Research
Action to Cure Kidney Cancer (ACKC) was instrumental in securing a $10 million line item for the Kidney Cancer Research Program as part of the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). This represents the largest increase ever in the federal budget for kidney cancer research. Grant proposals continue to be accepted through December 20th at http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/kcrp.
Kidney cancer strikes 64,000 Americans each year, and over 14,400 succumb to the disease. The $10 million will provide an opportunity find a cure for this disease, research for which has been perennially underfunded as compared to other cancers.
James Brugarolas, MD, PhD, Head of the Kidney Cancer Program at the University of Texas Southwestern, said, “This $10 million appropriation represents a landmark commitment by the federal government to invest in kidney cancer research and seek a cure for this disease.”
ACKC has been advocating for 13 years for increased funding for kidney cancer research. The following legislators gave critical support in obtaining the research funding: Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), former Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY), and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), who was influential in getting the $10 million in the bill for this fiscal year.
ACKC Members Meeting With Congresswoman Nita Lowey (third from left)
The content in this post has not been reviewed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO®) and does not necessarily reflect the ideas and opinions of ASCO®.
