WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) was presented last night with the 2011 Distinguished Public Service Award by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) – the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The AACR’s Distinguished Public Service Award honors Sen. Moran’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the nation’s biomedical research capabilities in order to prevent and cure diseases like cancer. He was the only senator to receive this award this year.

“Medical research leading to the prevention and cure of diseases like cancer plays a critical role in keeping all Americans healthy and can also lead to billions of dollars of savings in health care costs,” Sen. Moran said. “I am honored to receive this award and will continue to be a strong advocate for research focused toward the ultimate goal of eliminating cancer, and saving the lives of over half a million Americans each year.”

“We are deeply grateful for Sen. Moran’s contributions as a champion of public health and biomedical and cancer research,” said Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), chief executive officer of the AACR. “His demonstrated support for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will enable the future scientific advances needed to seize today’s scientific momentum, capitalize on prior investments in cancer research, save countless lives, and spur innovation and economic prosperity for our country and all our citizens.”

The mission of the AACR is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907 by 11 physicians and scientists, the AACR’s membership now includes more than 33,000 researchers in addition to health care professionals, cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and 90 other countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. Additionally, it funds innovative, meritorious research grants.

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