Major Cancer Groups Form “Friends of Cancer Research”

Extract

The major U.S. cancer organizations recently formed a non-profit entity called Friends of Cancer Research to educate the public about the importance of cancer research. Ellen V. Sigal, Ph.D., chair of the Friends group, said the impetus for formation came from a desire to recognize the 25th anniversary of the National Cancer Act, which made cancer research a national priority. The act was signed into law Dec. 23, 1971.

After much deliberation, she added, the national cancer community convened Friends for a yearlong program to increase public understanding of cancer, the gains made through research, and the opportunities for more progress ahead.

“We didn't want to have a big celebratory ball—this disease still devastates people's lives—but we did want to do something to commemorate the 25th anniversary as well as the progress that has been made,” Sigal said.

Audience Is Broad

Friends' target audiences are the American people, key policy makers including members of Congress and the Administration, the media, and cancer, survivors. Sigal, who chairs the board in of Duke University's cancer center in Durham, N.C., and is a member of the National Cancer Advisory Board, said the group's budget is $500,000 from private sources.