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On Tuesday, March 19, AACI held its annual spring Government Relations (GR) Forum at 101 Constitution in Washington, DC. The meeting gave AACI government relations representatives and sustaining members an opportunity to network and discuss cancer-related public policy topics.

Approximately 50 guests attended the event. The meeting was kicked off with a presentation by Anabella Aspiras, assistant director, Cancer Moonshot Engagement, who discussed patient navigation. The GR Forum also included updates from the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Office of Government and Congressional Relations, and a staffer from the office of Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA).

AACI President and VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Robert A. Winn, MD, provided an update on his Inclusive Excellence presidential initiative. Sustaining member updates were provided by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the Hemotology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA).

AACI Leadership Visits Capitol Hill

During their visit to DC, AACI Executive Director Jennifer W. Pegher and Dr. Winn were joined by advocates from Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health, Moffitt Cancer, and Massey to meet with the offices of Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Ben Cline (R-VA), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), and to meet directly with Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) to discuss the urgent need to fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the NCI to support cancer research.

On Wednesday, March 20, Pegher joined Dr. Winn at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine for the National Cancer Policy Forum (NCPF) Spring Workshop, which focused on social determinants of health. Dr. Winn chairs the NCPF, and the meeting was chaired by former AACI president Stanton L. Gerson, MD, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Chanita Hughes Halbert, PhD, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

View Photos From the Meetings

AACI Responds to Fiscal Year 2024 Federal Budget

AACI applauds Congress for reaching agreement on a Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget deal, following the passage of several continuing resolutions. With just a little over six months left in the fiscal year, we urge Congress to avoid a similar delay in FY25. Our nation’s cancer centers rely on steady and predictable funds from the NIH and NCI. Uncertainty due to continuing resolutions and delayed budgets stifles cancer research progress.

Read Our Full Statement

Reminder: 2024 AACI/AACR Hill Day Registration, Patient Scholarship Nominations

The FY24 budget deal underscores the importance of advocating for predictable, stable funding increases for the NIH and NCI during the 2024 AACI/AACR Hill Day. Registration is still open and AACI is offering scholarships of up to $1,000 to enable patient advocates to attend Hill Day and share their perspectives during congressional meetings.

To be eligible for a scholarship, the nominee should be a well-known patient advocate who has a relationship with an AACI member cancer center or AACR. The recipient can be a patient, former patient, friend, or family member of a patient, enrolled in a clinical trial or receiving standard treatment.

Nominations are due Friday, April 5. Up to five scholarship recipients will be selected and the cancer center representative submitting the application will be notified of their nominee’s status by Friday, April 26.

Register for the 2024 AACI/AACR Hill Day
Learn More About Patient Scholarships