Dear Chairman Shelby, Vice Chairman Durbin, Chairman Visclosky and Ranking Member Calvert:
Our organizations; representing lung cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and researchers come together to thank you and the members of the Subcommittees for your strong support of the highly successful defense health research program, included in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) and specifically, your support for lung cancer research.
With one voice, we respectfully request that as you reconcile the House and Senate versions of the Department of Defense Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) that the House’s position of a stand-alone Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP) funded at $14 million be included in the final conference bill.
The Peer-Reviewed Lung Cancer Research Program is an important part of the federal research portfolio. Since FY09 and through FY18, the LCRP has been funded for a total $141.5 million, making this the second largest lung cancer research program—public or private—outside of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The funding of this program has resulted in 250 projects thus far. Multiple LCRP-funded projects have led to active clinical trials testing new therapies for lung cancer, including new immunotherapies and novel types of precision medicines for patients with specific
genetic changes in their lung cancer.
Applications for funding under the LCRP have grown steadily every year, which is a sign of
success in attracting more researchers than ever before. Our collective hope is to work with
the Subcommittees in future years to increase funding for the Lung Cancer Research Program.
Again, thank you for the assurance of your support for lung cancer research and for working to maintain the Peer-Reviewed Lung Cancer Research Program—funded at least at $14 million in
the final FY20 Appropriations for the Department of Defense.
Sincerely,
ALKFusion
ALK Positve
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
Cancer Survivors Against Radon, Inc.
Citizens For Radioactive Radon Reduction
Clinton F. Mountain Foundation for Education & Research in Lung Cancer
EGFR Resisters
Free ME from Lung Cancer
International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
LAB Life and Breath
LiveLung
Lung Cancer Circle of Hope
Lung Cancer Connection Inc.
Lung Cancer Foundation of America
Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina
Lung Cancer Research Foundation
LUNGevity Foundation
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
RET Renegades
The ROS1ders, Inc.
Upstage Lung Cancer
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