WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) – a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations – today announced a $43 million federal investment to plan and help build a new cancer research facility at The University of Kansas Cancer Center. The funding was secured by Sen. Moran in the FY2023 Appropriations Package through his role on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education.

In July of this year, The University of Kansas Cancer Center received the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Comprehensive Designation Status – the highest level of recognition awarded by the NCI and the gold standard for cancer centers.

“After years of hard work and dedication, The University of Kansas Cancer Center was awarded the NCI’s Comprehensive Designation Status earlier this year, opening up new possibilities and greater federal investment,” said Sen. Moran. “The KU Cancer Center is already a nationally recognized leader in the fight to treat and cure cancer, and soon, with a new, state-of-the-art cancer center, KU can expand its legacy and capabilities to do research, development and treat patients. With the new center, even more Kansans will have the opportunity to receive care and treatment for cancer close to home. It has long been my priority for Kansas to be a place that not only recruits the top talent in the world to our state, but also keeps our students, their knowledge and intellect in Kansas. Now, more Kansans will have the opportunity to change the world right here at home, and one day, God willing, find a cure for cancer.”

“The funding provided in this omnibus package will enable the KU Cancer Center to enhance its work in research and patient care while fulfilling its duty to provide public education and outreach programs, especially to underserved and high-risk populations,” said Douglas Girod, KU Chancellor. “More broadly, by strengthening the KU Cancer Center, this funding elevates the entire university and strengthens KU’s position as a leading national research institution and proud member of the Association of American Universities. We deeply appreciate Senator Moran’s continued support of the KU Cancer Center and the university, and we look forward to partnering with him in the future on initiatives that benefit Kansas."

“The funding will significantly bolster The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s research infrastructure and collaborative culture, leading to a broader portfolio of practice-changing clinical trials that we offer,” said Roy Jensen, MD, Vice Chancellor and Director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center. “It will also foster significant economic growth and further position our region as a hub for innovative biomedical research. We are grateful for Senator Moran’s resolute support of the cancer center.”

Timeline of KU Cancer Center’s Comprehensive Designation Status Application:

• In 2012, KU Cancer Center was recognized as a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.
• In 2017, KU Cancer Center’s NCI designation was renewed, but the first attempt toward comprehensive status fell short. This same year, NCI made it a rule that no cancer center could be promoted to comprehensive status on its first five-year renewal, allowing KU time during the subsequent five years to focus on strengthening core areas necessary to achieving comprehensive status from NCI.
• In 2021, as its five-year cancer center renewal would soon come up for review, KU Cancer Center submitted its second application for comprehensive status.
• In June of 2022, KU Cancer Center officially received the National Cancer Institute’s comprehensive designation status.

Additional Federal Resources:

• As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee with jurisdiction over the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the NCI, Sen. Moran also helped secure a total of $16 million in federal resources for KU Cancer Center in the FY2022 Appropriations bill.  

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