ASCO members are leading the way to make sure Congress understands the critical importance of federal cancer research funding before the September 30 federal funding deadline.
“The People Behind the Progress,” an ASCO social media series, features members sharing how federal cancer research has directly helped their patients and shaped their careers.
“For over 5 decades, we’ve made spectacular progress— anyone who has a family member or friend who has had cancer has been impacted by federal research funding,” said Jasmine Kamboj, MD, FASCO, whose post led off the series.
Jasmine Kamboj, MD, FASCO
Ashley L. Sumrall, MD, FACP, FASCO
“I’m worried about our young scientists and physicians, who are getting ready to enter the field and there’s no funding for their work,” wrote Ashley L. Sumrall, MD, FACP, FASCO, in her post. “Trying to undo that damage seems insurmountable.”
The series, part of ASCO’s extensive Save Research. Stop Cancer campaign, additionally highlights Heloisa P. Soares, MD, PhD, FASCO, S. M. Qasim Hussaini, MD, MS, and Gregory A. Vidal, MD, PhD.
The campaign isn’t limited to social media. On Aug. 19, ASCO took the “Save Research” message directly to the airwaves through a nationwide media tour, highlighting the real-world impact of federal research on patient care. ASCO Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President Julie Gralow, MD, FACP, FASCO, served as the chief spokesperson. She was joined by ASCO members Fumiko Chino, MD, FASCO, Chancellor Donald, MD, and Dr. Hussaini, who discussed in radio and podcast interviews how federal support drives medical breakthroughs and supports economic activity across the nation.
The interviews reached more than 7 million listeners in North Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Louisiana, and West Virginia, which were targeted in hopes of reaching Congressional leaders with influence over the federal budget.
Cancer care progress relies on the collective advocacy of ASCO members. To help ensure that life-saving research continues to receive the federal backing it deserves, the campaign will continue until a final FY 2027 budget is enacted. We urge you to continue lending your voice by contacting your lawmakers through the ASCO ACT Network and urging them to support federal cancer research funding. You can also reach lawmakers and show a collective voice by posting on social media and utilizing the hashtags #ASCOAdvocacy and #SaveResearchStopCance.
For more information about the Save Research campaign, visit asco.org/saveresearch.
