Continuing the Effort to Advance Cancer Research in Kansas

Statement

While hosting Marilyn Tavenner, Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy on Tuesday, I had the opportunity to visit with University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little and discuss the next step in the KU Cancer Center's (KUCC) efforts to advance cancer research in our state.

Last month, KUCC was selected for National Cancer Institute designation. NCI designation is the highest recognition for an academic cancer center, opening doors to expanded research opportunities and bringing the most advanced cancer care to patients. But KU is not stopping with this exclusive NCI Cancer Center designation in its quest to eliminate cancer. The next step is working to become an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, which represents a further advanced scope of cancer research, prevention and treatment. I remain fully committed to making sure that KUCC remains at the front lines in our nation's efforts to combat cancer.

KUCC's commitment to research will allow KUCC patients to have access to the latest clinical trials and the most advanced cancer treatments close to home. KUCC will also be better positioned to recruit the brightest researchers and scientists to develop cutting-edge treatments and cures here in Kansas. Kansas students wishing to conduct the most advanced research to attack cancer and other diseases will no longer have to leave our state to do so. Additionally, this extraordinary accomplishment will have a transformative effect on our state's economy, enabling Kansas to continue developing into a research powerhouse for medical, pharmaceutical, and technological advancement.

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