From the LLS:
CDC Blood Cancer Research Program Eliminated
President Barack Obama recently released his FY 2011 budget proposal, which includes some serious costs to cancer patients. Two CDC cancer programs were eliminated from the president's budget: the Geraldine Ferraro Blood Cancer Education Program and the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Program, better known as Johanna's Law.
The blood cancer education program, was funded at $4.7 million in FY 2010. Since its inception in 2004, The Geraldine Ferraro Blood Cancer Education Program - named in honor of the former Congresswoman, vice presidential candidate, and multiple myeloma survivor - has funded nearly $35 million in grants to organizations, including The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), for programs that benefit blood cancer patients. Programs instituted by LLS with this funding include an educational program for patients living with myeloma, a national forum educating oncology nurses on the management and treatment options for older patients living with blood cancer, and programs to reach underserved patients in both urban and rural settings..
These programs allowed LLS and other blood cancer organizations to provide critical information and services to blood cancer patients across the nation that will be sorely lacking if this funding is not maintained. LLS will be working to ensure that this program is retained in Congress' final budget and will call upon advocates to voice their support for this funding when they are needed.
This is a critical moment for cancer advocates! If cancer programs continue to be subject to funding cuts, the quest for a cure becomes much more of a challenge. We must protect the programs that benefit patients in need! Please visit LLS's Legislative Action Center and tell your representatives that cancer patients NEED
their support . Urge them to retain funding for the Geraldine Ferraro Blood Cancer Education Program now! (copy and paste this link)
http://tiny.cc/y49ib