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AACI Executive Director Speaks at Press Conference in Support of K.O. Cancer Act
Photos by Jaren Love
On Tuesday, May 19, patient advocate Tom Moran (pictured below) spilled 1,700 bottle caps in front of the United States Capitol to symbolize the number of people who lose their lives to cancer every day in the U.S. — including some of Moran's loved ones.
"I managed professional boxers for a long time, but I’ve never been in a fight like this," Moran said. "I lost my wife, my mother, my father, and my younger sister to cancer, and I asked, 'Why? Where is the research?'"
Moran's impassioned plea was part of a press conference in support of the bipartisan Knock Out (K.O.) Cancer Act (H.R. 3873). The event also featured remarks from the bill's co-sponsors, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), co-chairs of the House Cancer Caucus; AACI Executive Director Jennifer W. Pegher; cancer survivor Brian O’Sullivan; boxer Tim Witherspoon, Jr.; and patient David Rowan.
The Knock Out Cancer Act represents one of the most significant proposed increases in cancer research funding in a generation. It would increase funding for the National Cancer Institute by 25 percent annually for five years, based on Fiscal Year 2022 funding levels, to better align federal investment with cancer’s devastating toll as the second leading cause of death in the U.S.
The bill also directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within one year identifying the root causes of ongoing cancer drug shortages and outlining actionable solutions to restore timely access to lifesaving treatments.
"As the most comprehensive bipartisan bill of its kind since the Cancer Moonshot, the Knock Out Cancer Act dares us to dream big," said Pegher. "AACI is grateful to Representatives Fitzpatrick and Dingell for their continued support of cancer research."
AACI has supported the Knock Out Cancer Act since its introduction in Congress in 2021 as H.R. 6342. To monitor the progress of the legislation, please visit AACI’s legislation tracker.
Moran's impassioned plea was part of a press conference in support of the bipartisan Knock Out (K.O.) Cancer Act (H.R. 3873). The event also featured remarks from the bill's co-sponsors, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), co-chairs of the House Cancer Caucus; AACI Executive Director Jennifer W. Pegher; cancer survivor Brian O’Sullivan; boxer Tim Witherspoon, Jr.; and patient David Rowan.
The Knock Out Cancer Act represents one of the most significant proposed increases in cancer research funding in a generation. It would increase funding for the National Cancer Institute by 25 percent annually for five years, based on Fiscal Year 2022 funding levels, to better align federal investment with cancer’s devastating toll as the second leading cause of death in the U.S.
The bill also directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within one year identifying the root causes of ongoing cancer drug shortages and outlining actionable solutions to restore timely access to lifesaving treatments.
"As the most comprehensive bipartisan bill of its kind since the Cancer Moonshot, the Knock Out Cancer Act dares us to dream big," said Pegher. "AACI is grateful to Representatives Fitzpatrick and Dingell for their continued support of cancer research."
AACI has supported the Knock Out Cancer Act since its introduction in Congress in 2021 as H.R. 6342. To monitor the progress of the legislation, please visit AACI’s legislation tracker.