The nation’s investment in medical research has yielded remarkable returns. As a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, I can attest to the progress being made in the fight against cancer. We now have molecularly targeted drugs, like Gleevec, that kill only cancer cells and spare patients from painful radiation and chemotherapy treatments. More Americans are surviving cancer than ever before, but we still have work to do. This year, 7,300 people will be newly diagnosed and approximately 3,000 will die in Maine alone from cancer.

Over the last five years, Congress has helped accelerate the pace of medical research. I applaud this effort, but they are now threatening to put the brakes on with a budget that provides near-flat funding for the National Institutes of Health. As it is now, the NIH can only fund about one out of every three research project applications. Two-thirds of potentially lifesaving scientific opportunities are being lost, not just for cancer but also for heart disease, diabetes and other serious illnesses.

I urge Senators Snowe and Collins to vote for an amendment to support at least an 8.5 percent increase to the NIH budget. I also urge Representatives Allen and Michaud to pledge support for an increase.

The promise of more medical breakthroughs will fade without sustained and consistent investments. We cannot afford to let research languish when we are on the brink of advancing medicines and new treatments for patients. Lives depend on it.

Chriss Hayden, Auburn

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