Milford woman pushes for more cancer research funding
Cindy Canevari says, “Cancer does not have to be a death sentence anymore, and that’s because of research.”
However, Canevari believes there needs to be more cancer research. She’s Delaware’s Lead Ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
Tuesday she’s going face-to-face with politicians in Washington, D.C. She’ll be lobbying for more funding for medical research at the National Institutes of Health.
The goal of the lobbying is to push for a $6 billion dollar increase over a two-year period, with $1 billion specifically going to cancer research.
Right now, the budget at the National Cancer Institute is 26 percent below what it was in 2003; that’s after adjusting for inflation.
Folks like Canevari think that’s an issue, especially because past research has worked.
Canevari goes on, “Research has led to quicker diagnosis, better treatments, and better outcomes.”
Research has also led to more survivors. There are nearly $15 million cancer survivors living in America today. However, there’s still a long way to go.
According to the American Cancer Society, some form of the disease kills one person every minute in U.S.
Canevari’s group has joined forces with the “Stand Up To Cancer” organization to launch the “One Degree Campaign.” The campaign was launched in an effort to convince Congress that this increase in research funding is necessary.
Canevari says, “When you list the people that you know, the friends, the loved ones, I don’t think there’s anyone that hasn’t been touched by this disease. That’s what one degree means.”
Canevari knows this first hand. She beat cancer twice. Canevari was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005; and bladder cancer two years later.
The goal now is getting Congress to do right by all the others still fighting this disease.
Canevari continues, “I can’t even find the words I’m humbled that I can represent cancer patients and their families.”
If you would like more information on the One Degree project, click here.
