Share:

Oppose New Limits on Cancer Research By the Department of Defense

DoD Cancer and Lymphoma Research is critical for those with chemical or radiologic exposure during deployment

The U.S. Senate is considering the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (S. 2943). The Senate bill includes language that, if enacted, would severely restrict the types of medical research that can be funded by the Department of Defense (DoD), including its Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP).



The Peer Review Cancer Research Program (a Division of the CDMRP) was established to support innovative and competitive research in cancers specifically designated by Congress as relevant to military service members and their families. Lymphoma research has been included in this program because of the connection of blood cancers to chemical and radiologic exposure during deployment. Through the DoD Program, meaningful advances in lymphoma research have benefited not only our military personnel, but all those touched by a lymphoma diagnosis. If passed with Sections 756 and 898, the legislation would drastically restrict the types of medical research that can be funded by the Department of Defense and would have a direct impact on lymphoma research.



As a person who has been personally affected by Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, a type of lymphoma, I understand the importance of the medical research funded by the Department of Defense, not only to our service members but to all Americans. I ask you to oppose Sections 756 and 898 of the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act that would restrict medical research funded by the Department of Defense.