Vol. 1, No. 3 (September 14, 2011)
- Congressional "Supercommittee" begins work on federal deficit reduction plan – biomedical research at NIH is on the table
- Why we need to fight for brain tumor research funding in Congress – a research breakthrough story
- New NIH Center launched to speed up drug development
- How to fight against brain tumors in three minutes or less
- Invitation: Join other brain tumor advocates at the Summit
Congressional "Supercommittee" begins work on federal deficit reduction plan – biomedical research at NIH is on the table
The new Supercommittee in Congress tasked with developing a plan to reduce the federal budget deficit by $1.5 trillion met for the first time. Members include Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) (Co-chair), Max Baucus (D-MT), John Kerry (D-MA), John Kyl (R-AZ), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Pat Toomey (R-PA). House Members include Jeb Hensarling (R-TX-5) (Co-Chair), Xavier Becerra (D-CA-31), Dave Camp (R-MI-4), James Clyburn (D-SC-6), Fred Upton (R-MI-6), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD-8).
Funding for brain tumor research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is located in the domestic discretionary portion of the budget. NIH funding remains on the table for long terms cuts because it is one of the larger discretionary programs. That said, there is bi-partisan support for NIH funding and strong champions on the Supercommittee for it, including Senator John Kerry and Rep. Chris Van Hollen.
It is important that we let members of this committee know that NIH funding is critical to the search for new therapies and a cure for brain tumors. From the feedback we’re getting from Members of Congress, our voice is being heard. Advocates can take action immediately by writing a note to their Senators and Representatives. National Brain Tumor Society will keep you posted on the Committee’s progress.
Why we need to fight for brain tumor research funding in Congress – a research breakthrough story
Recently, the National Institute of Health announced that researchers funded by NIH grants have discovered a potential new therapy for seizures associated with brain tumors. Read about it here.
The researchers discovered that sulfasalazine, a drug for treating certain inflammatory disorders can reduce the occurrence of seizures in mice with gliomas. As seizures are a frequent symptom of brain tumors, it is important that new ways of reducing them are discovered and developed. Read more.
While the research still needs to be tested with patients and developed into a specific therapy, this is an example of promising research to aid the quality of life for brain tumor patients. It is also an example of why we need to advocate with Congress to maintain funding for NIH research. We don't want budget cuts to slow down the progress that is being made. Instead, we want to give researchers every opportunity to find more breakthroughs.
New NIH Center launched to speed up drug development
Under the direction of Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health – the new Center for Advancing Translational Sciences aims to speed up drug development that has slowed in the pharmaceutical industry over the past decade. According to Dr. Collins, the industry has not followed genetic advances with new clinical trials on potential therapies. The new Center will serve as an opportunity for NIH to more aggressively advance research into clinical trials and to remove barriers to drug development. On behalf of the brain tumor patient community we will advocate for the new Center to focus on brain tumor research, to utilize genomic and biological data and to find an effective new therapy.
How to fight against brain tumors in 3 minutes or less
Want to do something immediately and powerfully to fight brain tumors? If yes, then go to our latest Action Alert and send a letter to Congress. Just fill in your address and click send. That’s it!
Invitation: Join other brain tumor advocates at the Summit
NBTS invites you to attend the 2011 Summit in Philadelphia, November 3-5. This will be a great opportunity to meet and learn from other brain tumor advocates and learn about the progress being made in research. We will discuss key policy issues and hone our skills as advocates to be a more powerful voice for our community. To sign up for the Summit, go to www.braintumor.org/summit.
Thanks again for all that you’re doing to fight brain tumors.
