October 26, 2010
Harold Varmus, M.D.
Director
National Cancer Institute
31 Center Drive, Suite 11A48
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Dear Dr. Varmus:
As members of One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) we are writing with regard to the
National Cancer Institute'
s annual Bypass Budget. As you know, OVAC is a collaboration
of public interest groups representing millions of cancer researchers, patients, survivors and
their families throughout the nation, and we thank you again for taking time to speak to our
group last month.
The National Cancer Act of 1971 gave NCI the unique ability to communicate directly with
the President and Congress about the ongoing strategic effort to defeat cancer and to make
specific and direct funding recommendations about how to achieve that goal.
FY 2012 presents a very challenging budget environment that only increases the value of a
compelling argument presented to the President and Congress in a timely way. To have any
real impact we feel it must be transmitted before Congress begins work on the FY 2012
budget in early February. Accordingly, we hope you would expedite the process so that it is
received in a timely way.
We also feel that you will likely have to defend cancer research as a national priority. We
are frequently faced with this same challenge in our advocacy efforts when we make the case
to Congress for additional funding for cancer research. A comprehensive Bypass Budget not
only aids NCI and the administration, but would greatly enhance our efforts as well.
Clearly, the advances supported by NCI over the past few years are creating new ways to
prevent, detect, and treat cancer. At a time when Congress will be forced to allocate limited
resources, we all must be able to demonstrate a return on past investment, and identify new
diagnostic tools and treatments for consumers, along with efforts to develop and promote
community-based research projects aimed at addressing health disparities. There is
promising research in genomics, proteomics, imaging, and nanotechnology for diseases
ranging from glioblastoma, to pancreatic, to prostate cancer, along with efforts aimed at
identifying and reducing cancer health disparities. The cancer community is often asked
what we stand to lose absent adequate funding. Specific examples of newly discovered
genes that are now being looked at as potential diagnostic or therapeutic targets or promising
clinical trials currently in the pipeline are the surest way to answer this question.
We feel that even the biomedical research community as a whole will also need to be able to
reflect on how funding directly impacts the lives of patients and those who would be patients.
People enrolled in clinical trials are receiving hope as well as treatment, and they are
essentially soldiers on the front-line of discovery in this fight. Research must be
demonstrated to flow on a continuum toward breakthroughs. New discoveries like the
Gardisil vaccine or treatments like Gleevec will not be replicated without a sustained
commitment from Congress.
Again, we believe the Bypass Budget offers both an opportunity to state the case, and the
opportunity to optimize everyone'
s advocacy efforts. Our sense from our discussion last
month is that you recognize its value and will work to maximize it. We fully support you in
this effort, and look forward to carrying the message to our elected officials.
Sincerely,
Alliance for Prostate Cancer Prevention (APCaP)
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Society for Radiation Oncology
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
Charlene Miers Foundation for Cancer Research
Colorectal Cancer Coalition
The Intercultural Cancer Council Caucus
International Myeloma Foundation
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
LIVESTRONG
Malecare Prostate Cancer Support
Men's Health Network
The National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions (NASPCC)
National Coalition for Cancer Research (NCCR)
National Patient Advocate Foundation
Nevada Cancer Institute
Oncology Nursing Society
The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Coalition (PPCC)
Prevent Cancer Foundation
The Sarcoma Foundation of America
Society of Gynecologic Oncologists
Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network