Letter From President Biden to the AACR Recognizes National Cancer Research Month

May 25, 2021 by

May is National Cancer Research Month. On Thursday, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) received a letter from President Joseph R. Biden reaffirming his administration’s support for the cancer research community. The AACR and its more than 48,000 members are grateful to have a champion in the White House who recognizes the important role of cancer research and shares the unwavering commitment of cancer researchers who are on the front lines in the fight against cancer.

In 2016, then-Vice President Biden spoke at the AACR Annual Meeting
in New Orleans. He and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, have spoken at several AACR events.

The full text of the letter is available below and on the AACR website.

“Jill and I send our best wishes to all those participating in National Cancer Research Month at the American Association for Cancer Research. Like so many others, cancer is deeply personal for our family. As President, I am committed to ending this disease as we know it. Organizations like AACR are crucial partners in the fight to end cancer. We are on the cusp of breakthroughs that will save lives, and we must continue our efforts to support the research needed to find a cure.

Despite the incredible advancements we have made in recent years, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States. Behind this statistic are millions of Americans who know the distress of receiving a cancer diagnosis and millions more who watch family members or friends courageously fight this disease—but too often succumb to it. Cancer is brutal and cruel. It inflicts an incalculable human toll on patients and their loved ones—a toll that strikes communities of color at disproportionately high rates.

My Administration continues to push for groundbreaking discoveries and innovative treatments to make cancer a thing of the past. That is why I am asking Congress to fund the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health at the National Institutes of Health, which would invest billions of dollars for one singular purpose: to develop breakthroughs that prevent, detect, and treat cancer and other deadly diseases. The hard work and dedication of organizations like AACR are crucial to making this vision into a reality.

While we have made incredible progress against this indiscriminate disease, we must also reaffirm our national commitment to preventing cancer, improving treatments and the delivery of care, and finding a cure. This includes efforts to advance research, increase prevention, promote early detection, enhance treatment, and support the needs of cancer survivors and caregivers.

It is within our power to end cancer as we know it. The mission of AACR to prevent and cure cancer serves as a beacon of hope for thousands of patients, families, and survivors. Thank you for your continued commitment and life-changing work.”