CANCER LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

CLC Urges Boost in FY 2009 Appropriations for NIH
(September 19, 2008)

IDENTICAL LETTERS SENT TO HOUSE AND SENATE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP AND CHAIRS AND RANKING MEMBERS OF APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES AND LHHS SUBCOMMITTEES

September 19, 2008

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
H-232 Capitol Building
Washington, DC  20515

Dear Madam Speaker:

The undersigned cancer patient advocate, provider, and research organizations write to urge you to provide $30.88 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the FY 2009 Continuing Resolution to be considered later this month.  This bold appropriation for NIH would reverse the five-year stagnation in NIH funding and would provide the potential to re-invigorate the cancer research program. 

Funding at this level would be consistent with the recommendations of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee ($30.38 billion for NIH in FY 2009) and Senate Appropriations Committee ($500 million in additional funds in the FY 2008 Second Supplemental).  Appropriations of this magnitude would boost the percentage of promising investigator-initiated grants that could be funded and strengthen the clinical trials infrastructure necessary for the translation of basic cancer research findings into new treatments. 

Progress in cancer treatment has traditionally depended on a series of small research advances that can only be achieved with reliable and predictable funding.  We urge you to address this need by providing $30.88 billion for NIH in the FY 2009 Continuing Resolution.

Sincerely,

Cancer Leadership Council

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