"When is
cancer political?"
–Natalie Phelps, Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer
Right now, politicians are deciding whether to cut up to 37% of cancer research funding and resources that could save the life of you or your loved one.
We fight to restore funding for lifesaving cancer research and protect future breakthroughs by elevating the voices of cancer. We're fighting back. Join us.
Your story can help protect progress and ignite the future of life-saving cancer research.
Federal support for cancer research is at risk. Patient Action for Cancer Research lifts up the voices of patients whose lives depend on National Cancer Institute and other federally funded cancer research, protecting the progress that saves lives.
Ben Eaton
Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer
“It’s pretty spectacular to be here right now — it wouldn’t be possible without the research and the people willing to put in the hours to do that research.”
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Kelly Cuvar
Multifocal Desmoid-Type Fibromatosis
“It’s saddening and disheartening to think funding could stop the treatment that’s keeping me alive. Why would anybody want to take away these chances for life expectancy?”
Michel Etchamendy
Chordoma Cancer Survivor
"They call it the House of Hope, people come from all over the world to learn there. You cut funding there, you’re going to cut major research on cancer."
Chris Biggar
Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer Survivor
“It’s a scary, daunting thought that research like that—all it’s waiting for is money. That’s why it’s such a burning fire inside me, everyone deserves the outcome I got."
For us, cancer research is personal.
When we unite our voices, we protect the research that saves lives. This is an urgent moment that demands that all of us impacted by cancer—patients, friends, and family—come together and align to collaborate and return America to its leading role in cancer research. Help us tell these stories.
Chris Biggar
Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer Survivor
“It’s a scary, daunting thought that research like that—all it’s waiting for is money. That’s why it’s such a burning fire inside me, everyone deserves the outcome I got."
Mike Etchamendy
Chordoma Cancer Survivor
"They call it the House of Hope, people come from all over the world to learn there. You cut funding there, you’re going to cut major research on cancer."
The bottom line
80%
Of Americans say they or someone close to them has faced a cancer diagnosis.
38.9%
Of men and women are expected to be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetime.
19 Million
Life years have been gained since 1980 because of NCI clinical funded trials.
43%
Reduction in breast cancer deaths across three decades of instrumental cancer research.
Federal cancer research saves lives, but that progress is now at risk. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the largest funder of cancer research in the world, but cancer science depends on support from many federal agencies across NIH and throughout the government. All of them are facing new funding pressures, policy shifts, and growing uncertainty in Washington.
Flat budgets, new funding rules, and delayed federal decisions mean fewer grants, fewer clinical trial openings, and slower progress toward life-saving discoveries. These pressures reach far beyond NCI. They threaten the entire ecosystem that patients depend on.
What we're asking Congress to do
01
Strengthen cancer research funding so life-saving progress does not stall.
02
Make sure cancer clinical trials stay open and stable for every patient who needs them.
03
Protect science-driven decisions so experts, not politics, guide cancer research.
04
Invest in the next generation of cancer researchers so the future of discovery stays strong.
How you can help
Share on social media
Your story can move people personally and inspire more to take action. Share your experience to highlight why life-saving cancer science matters. Include a message like: “Progress in cancer research is fragile. Patients need leaders who will protect the science that saves lives #ProtectCancerResearch.”
What we’re asking Congress to do
Share your story.
Your experience with cancer as a patient, survivor, caregiver, or loved one is powerful. Politicians need to hear how research funding affects real families.
"When I told my congressman about my daughter's leukemia survival, he changed his vote on the NIH budget."
- Parent advocate
Join our advocacy.
We provide the tools, talking points, and opportunities to advocate effectively for cancer research funding. No experience required—just your story.
"I never thought I could influence policy until I realized my survival was the best argument."
- Cancer survivor
Make a difference.
Your story becomes part of a powerful collective voice that has successfully protected and increased cancer research funding for decades.
Every person who shares their story makes it harder for politicians to cut cancer research."
- Policy expert
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We’re here to shape the future of cancer research funding
Patient Action for Cancer Research was founded to bring together patients, caregivers, and researchers to defend the science that saves lives. We work to protect federal science policy and funding wherever cancer research happens, across every agency that fuels discovery.
We are committed to working in partnership with patients and the research community. We work with the people most affected by federal decisions to champion policies that accelerate discovery and protect access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical trials. Our mission is clear and urgent: keep life-saving cancer research moving forward so patients and families are never forced to wait for progress.