ATLANTA, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Georgia Cancer Coalition today announced the recruitment of 32 leading cancer researchers from around the nation to expand its Distinguished Cancer Clinicians and Scientists (DCCS) program. Additionally, the Coalition has awarded nearly $1 million in research grants to 20 Georgia cancer investigators this year. Of this sum, Georgians have contributed nearly $800,000 through their state tax returns as part of the "Georgia Cancer Research Fund" checkoff.
"Nearly every family in the state has been touched in some way by cancer," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "I am proud that we have continued to invest in the health of Georgians through grants to Georgia scientists and the recruitment of renowned clinicians and researchers."
Since the inception of the DCCS program in 2002, the Georgia Cancer Coalition has awarded more than $11 million to strengthen cancer research and clinical oncology expertise in Georgia. This investment of state dollars, derived in part from the Tobacco Settlement, has yielded more than $77 million in new grant funding to the state, indicating a 7 to 1 return on state investment.
The new scholars were recruited from such nationally prestigious research institutions as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins, Stanford University School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, the National Cancer Institute and the World Health Organization. Since the establishment of the DCCS program, the Coalition has brought 66 renowned scholars to Georgia institutions and has achieved 44% of its goal of 150 recruited scientists by 2008. Participating in the matching grants program are Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State University, Medical College of Georgia, Mercer University, Morehouse School of Medicine and the University of Georgia.
"As a community we are coming together - state government, universities, corporations, foundations and individual citizens - in an unprecedented and powerful public-private partnership to reduce the incidence, suffering and death from cancer in Georgia," said Bill Todd, newly appointed president of the Georgia Cancer Coalition.
"I am inspired by the deep level of energy, creativity and commitment that this partnership is bringing to the table to ensure Georgians access to the very best in cancer care and treatment resources, and I feel privileged to be part of it," said Todd.
Both the Georgia Cancer Coalition's Distinguished Cancer Clinicians and Scientists program and the Cancer Research Fund projects are closely aligned with the National Cancer Institute's top research priorities where recent breakthroughs had led to more effective, targeted and gentle cancer treatments.
The scientists are currently leading research to unlock the mysteries in such areas as molecular and cancer cell biology, cancer bioinformatics and imaging, genetic intervention and protein profiles for early detection.
THE GEORGIA CANCER COALITION leads Georgia's comprehensive cancer initiative, uniting people and organizations to work together to save lives and reduce suffering from cancer. As a public-private partnership, the Coalition works to strengthen existing cancer related programs and create new initiatives that accelerate cancer prevention, early detection, education, and leading edge research and treatment to make the highest level of care accessible to all Georgians. Through leadership and funding, the Georgia Cancer Coalition provides guidance and assistance for using Georgia's resources in the fight to reverse the cancer mortality and incidence rates. The Coalition is the first of its kind in the nation and is fast becoming a national model.
MOBILIZING GEORGIA. IMMOBILIZING CANCER.
Georgia Cancer CoalitionCONTACT: Jill Hall of Georgia Cancer Coalition, +1-404-588-4082, orjhall@georgiacancer.org
Web site: http://www.georgiacancer.org/