Negotiations are currently underway within Congress to finalize an appropriations bill for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011. While we do not know the specific dollar amount recommended for the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), we do know that there has been significant push to reduce the current funding levels to FY 2008 which would have a devastating impact on cancer research funding.
ACCO encourages all families to CALL your Members of Congress in support of NIH/NCI funding. Calls are recommended instead of letters as this issue is time-sensitive. The following are key points to use during these calls.
� I am calling to express my strong opposition to funding cuts for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute.
� Previous Congressional support of cancer research has resulted in increased cures and more people surviving cancer than ever before. Nearly 1 in 20 Americans is now a cancer survivor.
� The incidence rate of childhood cancer increases annually and childhood cancer remains the number one cause of death by disease of America's children.
� There has been just one new drug approved by the FDA to treat childhood cancer in the last two decades. Children with cancer continue to be treated with drugs that were approved in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Research is essential for the development of newer less toxic treatments.
� Cuts of the magnitude proposed by House Republicans which would bring the funding back to FY 2008 levels could result in National Cancer Institute funding 60 percent fewer new and competing research grants than it did last year.
� Nearly 85 percent of federal funding for NIH is spent on research projects at local research facilities across the country. According to NIH, a total of more than $22 billion went to nearly 53,000 research grants in every state and virtually every congressional district across the country last year.
� The impact of the cuts being considered will result in job losses and significant negative impact on state and local economies.
� The news that there are now nearly 12 million cancer survivors living in the United States is confirmation of the benefits of federal support for research. Sadly, for too many cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones, progress against certain cancers has been incremental at best.
� I strongly encourage Congress and the Administration to work together to not cut funding for NIH and NCI .
As you consider picking up the phone, wondering if your call will make a difference I want to share with you the history and foundation of our organization as an example of what a few passionate and committed parents of children with cancer were able to accomplish - an accomplishment that impacted cancer research for years to come.
In 1970, Congress threatened to radically reduce research funding to the NIH and the NCI, in the same way that it is doing today. At that time, Federal funding of the NCI was $180 million. The impact was regarded as potentially devastating to cancer research. Two individuals - Bob and Bev McGaughy learned about the proposed budget cuts. Their 7 year old son had just been diagnosed with leukemia a few months earlier. His life and the lives of other cancer patients in the country depended upon cancer research not being slashed but being expanded instead. Determined that they could make a difference on this important issue, Bob and Bev approached the Head of oncology at Children's Hospital in Washington DC where their son was being treated. A meeting of all of the families whose children were on treatment and those who had lost a child to cancer was organized. On Saturday April 4th, 1970 approximately 35 parents of children with cancer attended a meeting in the basement of the hospital. They came to learn about Congress' proposed plans to cut NCI research funding, and to quickly devise a plan to ensure that didn't happen.
In addition to the McGaughy's at that important April meeting were numerous influential people who worked on Capitol Hill and whose children had been diagnosed with cancer. Cancer knows no boundaries and included those individuals who had the ability to influence policy. Included was Dick Sullivan, Chief Council for the House Public Works Committee; Peter Koltnow, President of the Highway Users Federation; Larry Monaco, lawyer and legislative writer for the Senate; Gordon Hawke, legislative assistant to Congressman Gude (R-MD); as well as Grace Monaco, lawyer; Al Karr, journalist and others. These individuals knew the budget process and how to target the House Appropriations Committee. A letter called 'The Plea for Help' was written and mailed to thousands of college alumni as well as the press. Feature stories were written informing the American public about the intent to reduce cancer research funding and the impact it would have on the future hope of cancer patients.
One key Republican Congressman who strongly supported the research funding cuts was named in the Kansas City Star. He was flooded with calls from upset constituents. The pressure resulted in him not only reversing his position regarding the recommended funding cuts but led to his personal push to increase federal funding for cancer research. Through his efforts the budget for the NCI in 1970 was increased from $180 million to $230 million! It was a few passionate and committed parents of children with cancer who became one of the first grassroots movements in support of increased federal funding of cancer research!
These parents went on to register as an official 501c4 lobby organization called Candlelighters. A few years later, the organization became Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and filed as a registered 501c3 charity. Today, as the American Childhood Cancer Organization we continue to build upon the grassroots commitment of those families who walked this journey before us. In doing so we remain committed to this cause that has so deeply and personally touched our lives.
I thank you for your support of this important Call to Action. Click here for your Representatives contact information.
Warm regards,