|
The Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) connects over 100 academic cancer centers through collaboration and communication. There is strength in numbers, and we are better together.
Through the Defending Cancer Research Digest, AACI is keeping members informed and educating the public on the tangible benefits of research funded by the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute.
Please read through these stories and share them widely on social media, through your institutions' communication channels, and in your communities. And continue to send us stories and videos from your cancer centers and local media, especially those featuring patients.
Follow AACI on social media and tag us in your posts. Please our hashtags, #DefendingCancerResearch and #CancerResearchSavesLives to help amplify our messages.
| | | | |
Cancer Research Helps Patients Live Longer, Better Lives
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Dr. Sachin Apte, chief clinical officer and physician-in-chief of Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah, explains how cancer research is "at the bedrock" of cancer care at HCI, throughout the U.S., and around the world. Watch Video
| | |
Patient Advocates Describe Impact of Cancer Research
Association of American Cancer Institutes
At the 2025 AACI/AACR Hill Day last month, AACI sat down with several patient advocates to learn how cancer research has impacted them and their families. A playlist of these videos is available on our YouTube channel. View Playlist
| | DEFENDING CANCER RESEARCH DIGEST | | |
Judge Rules Some NIH Grant Cuts Illegal, Saying He’s Never Seen Such Discrimination in 40 Years
AP
U.S. District Judge William Young in Massachusetts said the [Trump] administration’s process was "arbitrary and capricious" and that it did not follow long-held government rules and standards when it abruptly canceled grants deemed to focus on gender identity or diversity, equity and inclusion. Read More
| |
The Scientific Research Lost Amid the Trump Administration’s NIH Cuts
ProPublica
The NIH has rarely revoked funding once it has been awarded. Out of the tens of thousands of grants overseen by the institution since 2012, it terminated fewer than five for violations of the agency’s terms and conditions. ... Since [Donald Trump's] January inauguration, his administration has terminated more than 1,450 grants, withholding more than $750 million in funds. ... To gain a deeper understanding of the toll, ProPublica reached out to more than 500 researchers, scientists and investigators whose grants were terminated. Read More
| |
American Scientist
[T]he value of scientific research is not always evident to people outside of the relevant field. Some of the criticisms of science funding are certainly made in bad faith, but often the wider public is genuinely confused about what they are funding, and why. There’s value in scientists sharing clear and compelling answers to this question, now more than ever. Read More
| | |
Proposed Federal Budget Cuts Threaten the Future of Cancer Research
Association of American Cancer Institutes
On Friday, May 30, President Donald J. Trump released his final budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY)
2026, slashing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) budget by 25.2 percent overall,
and cutting funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) by
40.4 percent and 37.2 percent, respectively. The Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) firmly
believes these drastic budget cuts will have devastating consequences for millions of Americans. Read More
| | Paul Wormser (right) shares his story of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and the experience of receiving innovative treatment in a clinical trial during Clinical Trials Patient Appreciation Day at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. Photo credit: Leslie Aquinde, UC San Diego Health | | |
Take That Cancer, You Big Jerk: How Clinical Trials Saved Me
UC San Diego Health - University of California San Diego
"Clinical trials are the heart of all medical advances. Enrolling in a trial is critically important in helping doctors and scientists identify more effective treatments, including both new drugs, as well as surgical techniques or medical devices," said Ramez Eskander, MD, ... director of the clinical trials office at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health.
"Without clinical trials, and the willingness of patients to explore treatment on clinical studies, we would not be able to identify new cancer therapies. All patients have a personal reason why they choose to enroll, and we are endlessly grateful for each one of them." Read More
| | L-R: Grace Hardon, Catherine Hardon, Danielle Hardon, Marty Hardon, AACI Past President Dr. George Wiener, and Dr. Erin Talbert, commemorate their day in Washington, DC. | | |
Marty Hardon Takes Cancer Advocacy to Capitol Hill
Tama-Toledo News Chronicle
Being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in June 2022 left Marty Hardon with an "I won’t let this beat me" attitude. ... [He] currently sits on the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Advisor Board which is based out of the University of Iowa.
When the opportunity arose to travel to Washington D.C. alongside Dr. George Weiner and Dr. Erin Talbert to help advocate for cancer research and its funding, it was an immediate 'yes' from Marty who opted to bring his wife and kids on the trip too. The trip was put together by the American Association of Cancer Institutes and the American Association of Cancer Research. Read More
| | Matthew Chen traveled to Washington to sound the alarm about the president’s reckless targeting of vital funding. | | |
What I Told Sen. Moran: Cancer Research Cuts Would Cost Kansans’ Lives
The Kansas City Star
I didn’t go to DC as a lobbyist but as a high school student, a Kansan, and a young person already conducting cancer research who is deeply concerned about the future of biomedical research funding in our country. Read More
| | |
Since the passage of the National Cancer Act in 1971, Congress has demonstrated unwavering bipartisan support for cancer research. Americans have seen significant returns on these investments, including a reduction in deaths from cancer by 34 percent over the past 30 years. But the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget proposal could erase decades of progress with the stroke of a pen.
The proposed budget would slash funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by over 40 percent – from $47 billion to $26.7 billion. Continued reductions in force and the termination of numerous grants and contracts also threaten the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Cancer Centers Program, which have driven major advances in cancer screening, prevention, and treatment for over 50 years. These cuts will have disastrous consequences for the future of biomedical research, and for patients with cancer.
| | |
About AACI
The Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) represents over 100 premier academic and freestanding cancer centers in the United States and Canada. AACI is accelerating progress against cancer by enhancing the impact of academic cancer centers and promoting cancer health equity.
| | | | | |
PO Box 7317
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-647-6111
| | | | | |
