08.27.19

Durbin, Duckworth Announce Nearly $30 Million For Cancer Research In Illinois

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that three Illinois-based organizations have been awarded nearly $30 million from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to support cancer clinical trials and cancer care delivery studies in their communities.

“This federal funding will support the important work being done at some of Illinois’ best research institutions,” Durbin said. “Strong investments in medical research—which lead to new cures and treatments for cancer patients and so many others—has long been a top priority of mine, and I will continue advocating for this life-saving and life-improving work.”

“Ensuring high quality health care is important for all Illinoisans, especially those in need of life-saving cancer treatments,” Duckworth said. “I will keep working with Senator Durbin to make sure organizations and researchers have the federal support they need to continue improving research and providing high quality care to families across Illinois.”

Under this announcement, the following NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) sites will receive funding:

  • Carle Cancer Center NCORP at the Carle Foundation in Urbana, Illinois, will receive $1,360,000 for Fiscal Year 2019. Projected funding over six years is $8,160,000.
  • Heartland Cancer Research NCORP at Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Illinois, will receive $2,760,000 Fiscal Year 2019. Projected funding over six years is $16,560,000
  • Stroger Hospital of Cook County NCORP in Chicago, Illinois, will receive $833,400 for Fiscal Year 2019. Projected funding over six years is $5,000,000.

NCORP is a national network of researchers, public hospitals, physician practices, academic medical centers, and other groups that provide health care services in communities across the United States.

Earlier this year, Durbin introduced legislation to restore the United States’ commitment to breakthrough scientific and biomedical research. The American Cures Act would provide annual budget increases of five percent plus inflation at America’s top four biomedical research agencies: the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense Health Program, and the Veterans Medical and Prosthetics Research Program.

Over the past four years, Durbin has successfully fought in Congress to provide the NIH with at least five percent real growth each year, for a total of $9 billion in additional funding—a 30 percent increase over four years.

 

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