By Madina Toure
An amendment introduced by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) securing an additional $8 million for cancer research was passed last week.
The amendment provides funding for the Defense Department’s Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program. The congresswoman’s amendment was attached to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2017.
The multimillion dollar increase in research funding will be used to combat bladder, brain, colorectal, liver, pancreatic and stomach cancers, as well as lymphoma, melanoma and other skin cancers, mesothelioma, and cancer in children, adolescents and young adults.
“I’m pleased that the House of Representatives unanimously agreed to allocate additional federal dollars to combat diseases that kill millions of Americans every year,” Meng said. “Too many lives are lost far too early, and it is my hope that this funding will contribute to finding a cure for these horrific cancers. We all know someone whose life has been touched by a cancer victim or cancer survivor. I hope that one day Americans will not have to know that pain.”
Meng’s amendment was supported by Action to Cure Kidney Cancer, American Brain Tumor Association, American Urological Association, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, Bladder Cancer Action Network, Fight Colorectal Cancer, Melanoma Research Foundation and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
The $8 million in supplementary funding brings the Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program up to the Senate’s funding level for the account, increasing the chance that the increased funding amount will be signed into law, according to Meng.
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act is the annual spending bill that finances the Defense Department. The legislation appropriates $575 billion for Defense Department activities in fiscal year 2017.
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtour
