CANCER LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

CLC Urges Inclusion of $1.9 Billion for NIH in Stimulus Package
(November 12, 2008)

November 12, 2008

The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.  20510

Dear Mr. Leader:

The undersigned cancer patient, provider, and research organizations urge the inclusion of funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the second stimulus package currently under discussion in Congress.  An enhanced investment in NIH will increase the number of outstanding biomedical research projects that can be funded, sustain progress in the fight against cancer and other life-threatening diseases, and trigger additional and complementary public and private investment in biomedical research.

We join others in the biomedical research community in recommending that an additional $1.9 billion in NIH funding be included in the stimulus package.  A boost of this amount would increase NIH funding to $31.1 billion in fiscal year 2009, an amount that would be adequate to match biomedical inflation and address some of the loss of NIH purchasing power since FY 2003.

Although the nation has made important progress in improving cancer treatment, enhancing early detection, and strengthening interventions to prevent cancer, much remains to be done.  Almost 1.5 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and many will not have adequate treatment options.  Approximately 11 million Americans are living with cancer, and even those who have enjoyed successful treatment may experience long-term survivorship issues.  Clearly, the nation must strengthen its commitment to cancer research to meet the needs of its citizens.

A Families USA study found that every dollar in NIH funding generates more than twice as much in terms of state economic output.  NIH funding creates well-paying jobs and stimulates the consumption of goods and services, which argues for inclusion of NIH in the economic stimulus package.  We also believe that NIH funding should be a fundamental element of a stimulus package because it contributes to the long-term health and security of the American people.

We look forward to working with you on this important package.

Sincerely,

CANCER LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Society of Clinical Oncology
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology & Oncology
Breast Cancer Network of Strength
C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition
Cancer Care
The Children's Cause for Cancer Advocacy
Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups
Gilda's Club Worldwide
International Myeloma Foundation
Kidney Cancer Association
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Lung Cancer Alliance
Lymphoma Research Foundation
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
National Lung Cancer Partnership
National Patient Advocate Foundation
North American Brain Tumor Coalition
Prevent Cancer Foundation
Sarcoma Foundation of America
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance
Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network