Philanthropic Efforts to Counteract Cancer Research Funding Cuts

In San Diego, emerging cancer researchers face uncertainty as federal funding for cancer research has been cut by $1.8 billion across the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Ezra Cohen, chief science advisor at Curebound, highlighted the dire situation, mentioning that some labs may have to close and researchers are already being laid off.

Amid these challenges, Curebound awarded $8.5 million in grants to 23 San Diego County researchers to support promising cancer research programs in areas like cancer risk detection, immunotherapy, and childhood cancers.

Cohen pointed out the irony of these cuts, noting that NIH-funded research yields a 20 to 30-fold return on investment and has led to the development of 99% of FDA-approved drugs in the past two decades.

Cancer remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., with 40% of diagnosed patients facing financial insecurity. Dr. Diane Simeone from UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center stressed the importance of maintaining resources for cancer patients and the need for creative solutions to restore funding.

Since its inception in 2021, Curebound has raised about $51.5 million for cancer research, with a notable $11.5 million raised from an Elton John concert last summer, the highest-grossing event for cancer research in San Diego's history.

The nonprofit collaborates with six major institutions in San Diego, including UC San Diego's Moores Cancer Center and La Jolla Institute for Immunology. Curebound's collaborative model encourages grant recipients to partner with other institutions, fostering a spirit of cooperation among researchers.

One researcher successfully turned a $250,000 Curebound grant into a $4.5 million NIH award. Additionally, Curebound has created a dedicated equity grant in response to reduced funding for social equity research, committing $1 million each in the last two years.

Dr. Erica Ollmann Saphire of La Jolla Institute noted the unique local engagement of Curebound, allowing donors to connect directly with researchers. Despite the funding crisis, Dr. Cohen remains hopeful about the future of cancer research, emphasizing the dedication of researchers and the support of the biotech industry.