Letters
to the Editor:
More
cancer research needed
I am writing in regard to my concern about the future of
funding for cancer research and programs to prevent, detect
and treat cancer. After several years of strong and consistent
growth in cancer and other medical research funding, the
President and House of Representatives have slated the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) for just a 2.5 percent increase,
an increase mostly absorbed by inflation. The Senate has
proposed a 3.7 percent increase, still falling short of
the 8.5 percent increase the American Cancer Society believes
is needed to ensure continued momentum and new breakthroughs
to fight this deadly disease. Critical cancer-related prevention
and early detection programs at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), many of which serve medically
underserved communities, are also at stake, threatening
the nation's ability to prevent cancer or catch it early,
when it is at a more treatable stage. Cancer is the nation's
second leading killer and most feared disease. This year,
more than 1.3 million people will be diagnosed with cancer
and 556,500 will die. Nearly nine million Americans alive
today are cancer survivors. In spite of this, many in Congress
still have not made cancer funding a national priority.
As President Bush has said, In order to win the war on cancer,
we must fund the war on cancer.
I hope that Congress will take that to heart, and do the
right thing fully fund research by the NIH and other governmental
programs that are making progress in the fight against diseases
that kill millions of Americans every year. I am living
proof that research saves lives. I was diagnosed with inflammatory
breast cancer, stage 3B, four years ago and given a very
poor prognosis. I participated in a clinical trial at M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center and am now in remission. My doctors
have assured me that if not for research, I would not be
alive today.
Toni B. Gary
Moorhead, Mississippi
Reader
appreciates Emmerich column
Thanks to you for your very thoughtful commentary on the
demise of Colonel Rebel. Just reading and re-reading the
various points you made show a great deal of concern about
the thought control now so prevalent at Ole Miss. To say
that the University administration has fallen prey to political
correctness is putting it mildly. It is so saddening to
witness this destruction at Ole Miss. When the previous
chancellor departed I was thrilled, especially so, knowing
that Ole Miss was getting a home grown Mississippian to
guide us back to OM traditions. But, alas, things have gotten
worse. The Flag, Dixie, Old South Day, Confederate Avenue...all
gone due to this silliness called political correctness.
I still have some hope, however faint, that these enlightened
officials will ex- experience a change of heart and restore
the fun of being an Ole Miss fan. Thanks again for your
effort and congratulations to all at DBJ for a great publication.
Paul Artman, Sr.
Greenville, Mississippi
