Letter: Recalcitrant Cancer Act now law

We did it!! The Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act is now law!

President Barack Obama made history in the fight against pancreatic cancer by signing the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act into law. The act formerly known as the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act passed the U.S. Congress on Dec. 21 after it was attached to the National Defense Authorization Act.

This milestone in the fight against pancreatic cancer has created hope for many Americans who have been adversely affected by this devastating disease. For the first time there is a law dedicated to putting a greater focus on pancreatic cancer and other similarly deadly cancers that were once underfunded. This achievement would not have been possible without the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the many volunteers that devoted their time and energy to aggressively fight this disease.

With this momentous step, the National Cancer Institute will be able to develop long-term plans for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and other cancers. This will, in turn, assist in improving the lives of those individuals who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Now is the time to take a stand and give a voice to those that have lost the battle to this cancer. Baton Rouge and surrounding areas are uniting to passionately fight pancreatic cancer. I urge all who have been affected by pancreatic cancer to connect with the local Baton Rouge Pancreatic Cancer Action Network group. Please visit our websites at http://www.facebook.com/PanCAN.BatonRouge or http://www.pancan.org/section_get_involved/volunteer/join_local_affiliate.php to join our fight.

Ashley Wallis, community representative

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Baton Rouge

Comments

1) Comment by bourbon-soda - 11/01/2013

What disease are they going to take the money from?

2) Comment by Springer98 - 11/01/2013

@bourbon-soda, I'll have to agree with DMJ on this one! What IS the matter with you? Apparently you have little or no experience with pancreatic cancer. I lost my dad to it in 2002 & let me tell you it is a very cruel disease. It is also one of the deadliest of all cancers. I sincerely hope that you never have to even witness the devastation of pancreatic cancer. I can assure you, that if you do, you will find out that there is nothing to feel good about it.......

3) Comment by bourbon-soda - 11/01/2013

Congressional micromanagement driven by pressure groups is a poor way to direct science. There is no question that this is a special interest group - it has a special interest in only a few diseases. It is not too much of a stretch to assert that its members feel good about micromanaging science through pressure on Congress.

4) Comment by DMJ - 11/01/2013

A cancer research center is a "feelgood special interest group"? What's the matter with you?

5) Comment by bourbon-soda - 11/01/2013

As with the letter the other day regarding federal funding of renal disease, another feelgood special interest group stakes a claim to federal dollars. Was this done pay-as you go? If not (highly unlikely), what budget was cut to get this money?