From the CEO


Michael M.E. Johns

WCI has taken a critical first step toward becoming Georgia's first NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

In this issue

From the CEO / Letters
How Nellie got her groove back
Trapping the mutant virus
Doing a 360 in the WLA
Moving forward
Noteworthy
On Point:
  Not the same old, same old

 

 

Another milestone for WCI

In the last issue of Momentum, we described the remarkable progress of the Winship Cancer Institute (WCI) over the past few years in building programs that will bring research to the bedside more quickly and improve the prognosis and quality of life for cancer patients. The good news is there's more to tell.

On September 2, I participated in a press conference with Gov. Sonny Perdue to announce that the WCI had been awarded a $1.9 million National Cancer Institute (NCI) planning grant. On September 24, Gov. Perdue joined me, along with faculty and staff and guests, in the official dedication of the WCI's wonderful new home.

In winning the NCI planning grant, known as a P-20, the WCI has taken a critical first step toward becoming Georgia's first NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. With the opening of the new building, the WCI now has the facilities to enable our scientists, physicians, and other health care professionals to pursue research and treatment programs that can drive advances in cancer research and treatment throughout Georgia, the Southeast, and even the nation.

Georgia has some of the highest incidences of cancer in the nation. Cancer is the second leading cause of death here, causing nearly one-quarter of all deaths in the state. Three years ago, former Gov. Roy Barnes established the Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC), a public-private partnership in which Emory plays an important part. Gov. Barnes pledged significant tobacco settlement money to the GCC, and Gov. Perdue has embraced this effort. NCI comprehensive cancer center designation is a key goal of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center and of the GCC. There are 61 NCI cancer centers in the United States, of which only 39 have been designated "comprehensive." This NCI designation would bring incalculable benefits, providing patients access to important clinical trials not otherwise available in state. The associated funding also enables a greater emphasis on community education regarding cancer prevention and early detection.

The P-20 grant provides a minimum of $250,000 each year for five years to help establish the research programs that are required for the comprehensive cancer center designation. The next step in the NCI process will involve the submission of a P-30 grant, which, if funded, will be a major step to gaining comprehensive cancer center designation. WCI Director Jonathan Simons has recruited 25 new Emory and WCI faculty members, many of whom have been named as distinguished scientists by the GCC. These new scientists have brought nearly $45 million in federal and foundation grant money to Georgia for cancer research. In addition, 19 new clinical trials are now available to cancer patients in Georgia. The GCC will help make the NCI program funding more efficient by developing a statewide network of research centers that will collaborate on investigations and develop clinical trials (critical to progress in cancer therapy) that are accessible to all Georgians.

The state of Georgia, through its farsighted leaders, has made a substantial commitment to eradicating the burden of cancer on the people of our state. Emory is proud to participate in this partnership, and we will continue our commitment to ensure that the very best and most comprehensive cancer programs are available here in Georgia.


Michael M. E. Johns

 


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