Check out this article that describes the realities of research funding for pediatric cancers. Some of these facts are really disturbing. The only way we are going to improve survival rates is through research and the amount of money going to research is so disproportionately low compared to adult cancers, it’s no wonder that survival rates for children has remained relatively flat.
- The National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the US Department of Health, has a $4.8 billion budget. Of that, $173 million, or just over 3% is given to research for pediatric cancer.
- The American Cancer Society, the largest charitable organization dedicated to cancer support received $1 billion in donations. Of that, only $4 million, or less than half a percent went to pediatric cancer research.
- Note that this money is for ALL pediatric cancers, so the amount going for brain cancer research is just a percentage of that.
- Pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to develop treatments for children due to the relatively small target population.
Why don't we start creating ways to bring awareness to this upsetting information. Can we start fundraising in honor of Isabella???
ReplyDeleteI am glad to read it
ReplyDeleteReading about Isabella and her great fight motivating me in many ways. She had undergone through the massive tumor brain at such a young age. Surviving cancer is a big thing. I adore your work of fundraising for cancer research which might help https://psychiatry.residencypersonalstatements.net/psychiatry-residency-personal-statement-example others in their journey against cancer.
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