American Cancer Society Awards New Research and Training Grant

The American Cancer Society, the largest non-government, not-for-profit funding source of cancer research in the United States, has awarded Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey a $360,000 institutional research grant. This brings the overall total to $29 million dollars in grants to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey since 1989.

This two year grant will support a critical mission of Rutgers Cancer Institute, the training and development of the next generation of cancer researchers. As a Comprehensive Cancer Center as designated by the National Cancer Institute, Rutgers Cancer Institute not only supports research in the laboratory, and population and clinical sciences but also translates the results from these efforts into improved patient care. This approach, in conjunction with a highly developed mentoring program, provides an ideal environment for emerging early-stage cancer researchers.

“The new research grant at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jerseyis just one example of the lifesaving work our community is supporting,” says Frank P. Mascia III, Executive Director of New Jersey for the American Cancer Society. “This partnership is about improving the quality of life for people affected by this terrible disease. The Society’s research funding has the potential to save lives in our community through the answers and potential cures that are discovered. Additionally, the Society supports patients and families through their personal cancer experiences and helps people to prevent and detect the disease.”

“I am proud of our long and successful relationship with the American Cancer Society over the years,” notes Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Director Robert S. DiPaola, MD. “Our multidisciplinary approach provides an ideal environment to foster synergy with the American Cancer Society to support the careers of emerging early-stage cancer researchers. Funds from the Institutional Research Grant will be used both to catalyze the launch of successful careers for those already in disciplines ranging from basic, population, psychosocial/behavioral, and clinical sciences and to encourage those currently pursuing other scientific foci to apply their expertise to innovative cancer research.”

Since 1946, the American Cancer Society has funded research and training of health professionals to investigate the causes, prevention, and early detection of cancer, as well as new treatments, cancer survivorship, and end of life support for patients and their families. In those nearly 70 years, the American Cancer Society’s extramural research grants program has devoted more than $4.3 billion to cancer research and has funded 47 researchers who have won the Nobel Prize.

For more information about the American Cancer Society Research Program, please visit http://www.cancer.org/research.

About The American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2.5 million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 22 percent decline in cancer death rates in the US during the past two decades, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14.5 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. We're determined to finish the fight against cancer. As the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, we're finding cures and ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, visit cancer.org or call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345.

About Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (www.cinj.org) is the state’s first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. As part of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey is dedicated to improving the detection, treatment and care of patients with cancer, and to serving as an education resource for cancer prevention. Physician-scientists at the Cancer Institute engage in translational research, transforming their laboratory discoveries into clinical practice, quite literally bringing research to life. To make a tax-deductible gift to support the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, call 848-932-3637 or visit www.cinj.org/giving. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheCINJ.