If the key to finding the cure for childhood cancer is research, how do we decide which research projects to fund? In order to guide our choices we look to our Scientific Advisory Council.
Comprised of doctors, scientists and experts, the council studies the status of current research funded by CURE Childhood Cancer, as well as that funded since 2006. They assess the outcomes and identify successful projects to make funding recommendations that align with CURE’s research goals.
Currently, our focus is on projects aimed at the 20% of children diagnosed with cancer who are not surviving today’s methods of treatment. With that in mind, in fiscal year 2012-2013, we will fund research involving the highest risk pediatric cancers that fall into one of the following categories:
1. Innovative clinical therapy and transplantation
2. Mechanism of drug resistance and drug discovery
3. Study of novel tumor biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic and
vaccine development potential
4. Genetics and/or Genomics as related to cancer development, resistance,
mechanism
“CURE continues to be a very significant supporter of childhood cancer research, and I’m pleased to assist in selecting promising research projects for CURE funding,” says Harry Findley, PhD, Emeritus Professor at Emory University. ”Our goal is not only to identify cutting-edge research projects, but also to provide helpful feedback to the researchers whenever possible.”
The CURE Scientific Advisory Council includes:
- Kevin L. Karem, PhD: CDC Scientist – Council Chair
- Terri Ades, DNP, FNP-BC, AOCN: Director, Cancer Information, American Cancer Society
- Carlos Alvarado, MD: Emeritus Professor, Emory University
- Harry Findley, PhD: Emeritus Professor, Emory University
- John D. Bergsagel, MD, Oncologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
- William H. Chambers, PhD, Director, Clinical Cancer Research and Immunology, American Cancer Society
- Leon Bernal-Mizrachi, Assistant Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- Richard J. Woodcock, MD, Neuroradiologist, MRI & Imaging of Georgia
For information on the 2012-2013 research initiatives that CURE is supporting, click here.
Funding for the NIH supports a massive, vital engine that improves our nation’s health,advances research, promotes medical education, and generates 1,000,000 jobs, in all 50 states. It has been funded at decreasing (flat or sub-inflationary) rate since 2003. Thousands of promising careers, research projects, and laboratories have been aborted or closed down because of this funding crisis. The proposed flat $30.7 billion budget will bring this crisis to a boiling point. Instead, this petition proposes a $33 billion NIH budget for fiscal year 2013.
