AACR Statement on Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Passing

Today, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) issued the following statement regarding the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein:

“The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is deeply saddened by the loss of Senator Dianne Feinstein, who passed away yesterday at the age of 90 after a long and distinguished career in public service. 

A political trailblazer, Senator Feinstein was the first woman elected to represent California in the United States Senate and the longest-serving female senator. Having dealt with the experience of losing a spouse to cancer twice, Senator Feinstein was a staunch advocate for cancer research and a supporter of robust, sustained, and predictable funding increases for the National Institutes of Health. 

We are indebted to Senator Feinstein for her leadership, along with Senator Connie Mack (R-FL), in establishing the Senate Cancer Coalition in 1995. This Coalition provided her Senate colleagues with the opportunity to explore cancer research, prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship issues with leading scientists, physicians, other health care professionals, and patients. It also offered senators who weren’t serving on relevant committees of jurisdiction the opportunity to hear testimony on important cancer-related issues. 

Beginning in 2007, AACR worked with Senator Feinstein on several occasions to pass Senate resolutions supporting the designation of May as National Cancer Research Month. Her steadfast support helped to raise public awareness about exciting progress against cancer and the enormous promise for preventing and curing more cancers in the future because of cancer research. 

The AACR expresses our heartfelt condolences to the entire Feinstein family. The Senate has lost a wonderful leader and compassionate stateswoman.”