Dear Editor:

Federal support of cancer research has put us on the verge of some incredible breakthroughs, and we are fortunate that research is going on right here in South Carolina at the Hollings Cancer Center.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a congressional briefing hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACSCAN) and Hollings, which highlighted the research currently being conducted at the center. Cancer researchers from all over the world come here to be part of Hollings, because it is a leader in cancer prevention, research and treatment.

But recent budget cuts to the National Institute of Health (NIFI), as a result of the across-the-board federal funding cuts known as the sequester, will impact here in the state, South Carolina will lose out on almost $7 million in research funding and an estimated 170 research jobs will be lost.

We need to urge Congress to make restoring funding for cancer research a top priority to bring potential discoveries to fruition. We must support the important research that is being conducted right in our own backyard.

Lynn Rearden
Two-Time Cancer Survivor Volunteer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network