Letter to Dr. Lowy - Provide KU Cancer Center's Comprehensive Designation
Letter
Dear Dr. Lowy,
We write to express our continued support for The University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) in its pursuit of National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive designation. This bi-state initiative, which includes Stowers Institutes for Medical Research as a consortium partner with the University of Kansas, is an important endeavor to reduce the burden of cancer in our region. As noted in KUCC's grant submission:
"In the KU Cancer Center catchment area, which includes 105 counties in Kansas and 18 counties in western Missouri, it is estimated that over 22,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer, and more than 8,500 people will die from cancer in 2016. Cancer causes approximately 15 deaths per day in both Kansas and western Missouri, and accounts for approximately 22 percent of all deaths. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Kansas and this has been the case since 2010."
We certainly agree with this assessment. KUCC will continue to be a critically important regional and national asset in the fight against cancer. Prior to NCI designation in 2012, many Kansas residents often had to drive several hundred miles to access the nearest NCI designated cancer center. KUCC can further aid cancer patients by obtaining Comprehensive Cancer status, which will propel their ability to discover, develop and deliver innovative therapies to patients.
Finally, we wish to thank you for leading the NCI at this critical time and recognize that our nation's investment in cancer research is vitally important to our nation's health and long-term competitiveness. Your leadership and the NCI Cancer Centers program are key assets as we seek to reduce the incident of cancer. Thank you again for your commitment to this effort.
Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). He is co-chairman of the Senate Rural Health Caucus. He has been an outspoken advocate for increasing investment in Kansas' research infrastructure, including the University of Kansas' efforts to receive the NCI's Cancer Center designation.
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