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 gaps in research and access to quality care that cause breast cancer to be deadlier for some women than others," said Susan G. Komen for the Cure President and Chief Executive Officer Hala Moddelmog. "Our partnership with AACR in combating these blatant disparities underscores Komen's commitment to prevent and ultimately end breast cancer forever. This partnership is part of our promise to invest another $1 billion in breast cancer research and community outreach programs in the next decade."
2007 is a pivotal time to enter into such a partnership as it commemorates the AACR Centennial, as well as the 25th anniversary of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Both occasions honor the progress that has been made in cancer research and advocacy, and through this partnership, set a public course for future advances toward the prevention and cure of cancer.
Further details on this unique partnership will be announced during the opening Centennial Ceremony of the 2007 AACR Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 15th in Los Angeles, Calif.
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 25,000 basic, translational, and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and more than 70 other countries.
AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special Conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment, and patient care.
AACR publishes five major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Its most recent publication, CR, is a magazine for cancer survivors, patient advocates, their families, physicians, and scientists. It provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship, and advocacy.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure® is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-800 I'M AWARE.