LOS ANGELES Uniting the world's oldest and largest scientific organization dedicated to cancer research with the world's largest network of cancer survivors and activists, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure have launched a new partnership that focuses on three mutual priorities in cancer: finding ways to prevent cancer; addressing cancer disparities and ensuring ethical, standardized tissue sample storage and access for patients and researchers.
Komen for the Cure has granted more than $2 million to AACR to apply its scientific expertise and its ability to translate scientific concepts to lay-friendly language in order to build public understanding and appreciation of these three key cancer issues. Specifically, the funds will support educational outreach such as the AACR Scientist↔Survivor Program, public forums and symposia, public policy initiatives, and interactive online web destinations. The Komen pledge will also help to underwrite upcoming AACR scientific meetings, including the Frontiers in Cancer Research Prevention Meeting in Philadelphia, Dec. 5 8, 2007; a meeting focusing on breast cancer research; and an inaugural conference on health disparities.
AACR and Komen leaders agree that to impact cancer mortality and to increase public health, serious and sustainable progress in cancer prevention research and cancer health disparities must be made.
"While 10 million Americans are surviving cancer today due to progress in cancer research, unacceptable disparities still exist within minority communities," said AACR Chief Executive Officer Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.). "Through our partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, we hope to identify the challenges and eliminate the barriers preventing these populations from gaining access to knowledge about the latest advances in cancer research, treatment and prevention."
"The time is ripe to close the ga
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Contact: Jennifer Ryan
ryan@aacr.org
267-646-0558
American Association for Cancer Research
16-Apr-2007