Kansas City Star

I would like to thank U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran for his leadership in support of biomedical research and for the recent opportunity to discuss the state of cancer research and funding with Douglas Lowy, acting director of the National Cancer Institute.

Collaboration is key to fighting cancer, which the University of Kansas Cancer Center proudly demonstrates with its partners, the University of Kansas Medical Center, the University of Kansas Health System, the University of Kansas, Children’s Mercy Kansas City and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research.

These collaborations ensure that cutting-edge cancer research is taking place with varied patient populations to advance cancer care regionally and nationwide. They strengthen KU’s NCI-designated cancer center and will be critically important as KU pursues continued funding from the NCI, including expanded designation as a comprehensive cancer center.

The NCI’s budget has increased in recent years, but it can fund only a portion of research proposals because of a 50% increase in grant applications. To develop the best treatments for prevention, we must continue to explore innovative approaches and fund research that will change the course of cancer for patients everywhere.

Roy A. Jensen

Director, University of Kansas Cancer Center

Kansas City, Kansas

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