FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Urges President Bush to
Rescind Veto Threat on Cancer Research Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 7, 2007) – Today, the United States Senate voted to pass the Conference Report on the Labor, Health & Human Services, & Education Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations bill. The House voted to approve the bill last night.

The bill is a compromise, on all sides. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network joined cancer and other biomedical research advocates in calling for a $1.9 billion (6.7%) increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a $321 million increase (6.7%) for the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The President proposed a $279 million cut for NIH and a $16 million cut for NCI.

This summer, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would have provided a $72 million increase for the National Cancer Institute. Pancreatic cancer advocates around the country raised their collective voice and the Senate responded by increasing the funds available for cancer research to $112 million. Advocates continued the fight during the Conference Committee negotiations. Thanks to the efforts of Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) as well as Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Representatives David Obey (D-WI) and James Walsh (R-NY), the House and Senate Conference Committee developed a bill that provides a modest increase of $128 million for cancer research.

“The leadership Senators Specter and Harkin and Representatives Obey and Walsh have shown in continuing to push for higher funding levels for biomedical and cancer research should be commended, “says Pancreatic Cancer Action Network President & CEO Julie Fleshman. “While the funding levels will not provide a watershed for pancreatic cancer research, they are a step in the right direction. We are disappointed that President Bush has stated that he intends to veto this bill and urge him to reconsider his position so that research into deadly diseases such as pancreatic cancer is not halted.”

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc. (PanCAN) was founded in 1999. PanCAN is the leader in the fight against pancreatic cancer. PanCAN is the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network supports its mission by directly funding research, and demanding that the federal government increase research dollars for pancreatic cancer; by providing patients and caregivers with reliable, no-cost information to make informed decisions with their healthcare teams; and by helping individuals and communities work together to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. PanCAN creates hope and a sense of community so that anyone suffering from pancreatic cancer never has to feel alone.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Megan Gordon Don
Director of Government Affairs
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN)
202-742-6776

Darby Pearson
(202) 955.6222, ext. 2585
dpearson@spectrumscience.com

# # #