Ask your members of Congress to sign onto a Dear Colleague letter supporting $7.93 billion in FY26 funding (a $710 million increase) for the National Cancer Institute! Circulated by House Cancer Caucus co-chairs Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), the letter highlights the impact of cancer research over the last few decades and stresses that sustained investment is needed to build upon such progress.

WHY NOW: The number of new cancer cases is estimated to surpass two million in 2025 – just under 6,000 per day – and about 618,000 people will lose their lives as a result.

Over 18 million Americans are alive today thanks to previous investments in cancer research. Furthermore, research investments have also resulted in steady declines in cancer mortality over the last 25 years. Cancer-related deaths overall have fallen 34 percent since 1991, which equates to 4.5 million lives saved. NCI funding was stagnant in fiscal year 2025 and sustained increases are needed to keep pace with increasing costs of research.

Those interested may view the Dear Colleague letter here.