Critical Prostate Cancer Research Funding Saved

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the second consecutive year, ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer has successfully led the fight to save medical research at the Department of Defense (DoD) with the dedicated support of Congressional champions, grassroots advocates, and like-minded organizations. 

Today, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conferees agreed to remove several provisions from the Senate version of the NDAA that would have effectively eliminated $90M to $100M in prostate cancer research and hundreds of millions of dollars in research for other diseases and conditions.

ZERO sincerely thanks Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA), Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), and Rep. David Loebsack (D-IA) in the House and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) in the Senate for their leadership fighting for lifesaving and life-extending medical research.

"Unlike anywhere else, the DoD uniquely targets critical gaps in medical research and utilizes a two-tier review process that includes patients impacted by the disease," Jamie Bearse, President and CEO of ZERO, said. "The model is incredibly successful: creating three treatments for advanced disease and a genomic marker to signal if the disease is aggressive or indolent before treatments begin."

In March, the program received its first funding increase in more than a decade for the 2017 fiscal year. The originally proposed changes to the NDAA threatened a potential loss for the program that would have devastated the pipeline for new treatments and future options for patients.

"ZERO is proud to be leading the fight to retain and grow federal funding for prostate cancer research," says Bearse. "We rely on passionate advocates from around the country to engage their elected officials time and time again to secure these victories for current and future prostate cancer patients."

ZERO continues its fight for additional prostate cancer research funding during the appropriations process with its Annual ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit on February 25-27, 2018 in Arlington, Virginia. Nearly two hundred patients, survivors, family members, and other advocates are expected to attend from around the country to share their stories with elected officials.

About ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer
ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer is the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer. ZERO advances research, improves the lives of men and families, and inspires action. We're building Generation ZERO, the first generation of men free from prostate cancer, through our national run/walk series, education and patient support programs, and grassroots advocacy. ZERO is a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization, accredited by the Better Business Bureau, with regional chapters across the country. We dedicate 84 cents of every dollar to research and programs. For more information, visit www.zerocancer.org.

SOURCE ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer

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