Lack of Funding Stifles Cutting-Edge Cancer Research

Why? Dr. Otis W. Brawley, chief medical officer of the ACS, puts it succinctly: “No one wants to fund wild new ideas.”

The Times article addresses the root causes of this issue in great depth. Bottom line, the  “crazy ideas” that very occasionally result in huge breakthroughs in treatment—and bring us closer to the cure—are seldom funded through conventional sources. Conventional funding sources (the National Cancer Institute, et. al.) want to see some initial proof that the idea will work before providing funding. But without seed money, scientists are unable to develop that proof.

Catch–22.

That’s why, like Yossarian, I try to buck the system. I appreciate the support offered by the American Cancer Society. I value my tax dollars at work via the NCI.

But when it comes to cancer research, I’d rather put my hard-earned money into the hands of scientists who, like me, want to buck the grant system. And I've found a whole coterie of those scientists right here at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center.

Thanks, folks. You're working for me... and I'm walking for you.