AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A ceremony was held on the steps of the State Capitol today marking the State’s fourteenth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The event, hosted by partners that include the Governor’s Commission for Women, the Department of State Health Services Breast and Cervical Cancer Services program, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), serves to honor those whose lives have been lost to breast cancer and those that are still living with the disease. Today’s ceremony is a part of an ongoing effort to increase awareness about breast cancer in Texas, thereby reducing the incidence and suffering from this disease.
“We at CPRIT are privileged to join our other dedicated partners in the fight against breast cancer,” stated William Gimson, Executive Director of CPRIT. “Texas leads the country in our commitment to reducing the risk and impact of breast cancer.”
Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in 2007 establishing the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and authorizing the state to issue $3 billion in bonds to fund groundbreaking cancer research and prevention programs and services in Texas. Since officially opening its doors for business a little over a year ago, CPRIT has awarded over $21 million in cancer prevention grants to academic institutions and community-based organizations throughout the state and expects to exceed that amount in 2011. Several of these programs focus on breast cancer education and screening services in Texas.
“Our priority at CPRIT is to fund prevention programs that will improve the outcome for Texans who have no other resources,” said CPRIT’s Chief Prevention Officer, Dr. Rebecca Garcia. “And I’m pleased to tell you today that CPRIT’s programs are already having an impact – educating women about breast cancer and healthier lifestyles and getting women into screening who have never been screened before.”
CPRIT’s research program, led by Dr. Alfred Gilman, awarded $194 million this year for a wide variety of cancer research projects in Texas, including research into better risk assessment and early detection tools. CPRIT will award close to $200 million next year for innovative cancer research projects taking place at Texas academic institutions, research organizations and private companies.
CPRIT’s goal is to expedite innovation and commercialization in the area of cancer research and to enhance access to evidence-based prevention programs and services throughout the state. CPRIT accepts applications and awards grants for a wide variety of cancer-related research and for the delivery of cancer prevention programs and services by public and private entities located in Texas. More information about CPRIT is available at its website, www.cprit.state.tx.us.
CONTACT:
Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Ellen Read, 512-305-8483
KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Women Health Biotechnology Clinical Trials Oncology Research Consumer Science
MEDIA:
| Logo |