Statement from Beth Sanders Moore on Passage of HJR 12 to Renew CPRIT Funding

DALLAS, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Beth Sanders Moore -- a cancer survivor affiliated for 25 years with cancer survivorship research funding -- is rallying Texas voters to approve $3 billion in public support to reduce the burden of cancer across the state.

On November 5, 2019, Texans will go to the polls to decide a constitutional amendment to authorize an extension of bond financing for the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The ballot measure will increase total bonds for CPRIT from $3 billion authorized in 2007 to $6 billion.

Moore toured the state in 2007 as member of a campaign to encourage the creation of CPRIT and the allocation of its initial $3 billion in capitalization. In her career, she's raised $200MM+ for arts, education, and health care organizations ? with a significant portion earmarked for aid to cancer patients and survivors. She's a member of the Cancer Alliance of Texas, and is the founder of CancerForward: The Foundation For Cancer Survivors.

"Over the past decade, advancements in cancer research, treatment and survivorship planning have proven to be a priority to Texans," said Moore. "CPRIT has positively impacted thousands to date who without it would be without care or hope. From both a healthcare and fiscal perspective, it's important that we maintain and push forward CPRIT's accomplishments."

In its history, CPRIT has awarded over 1,250 grants for cancer research and prevention, notably including grants to Dr. Jim Allison at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) who was awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine for groundbreaking work in immunotherapy. CPRIT reports in the past decade it has helped recruit 170 researchers and their labs to Texas.

In cancer survivorship research alone, CPRIT has made grants of more than $10 million, the lion's share going to MDACC and Baylor College of Medicine, both in Houston. Approximately one-half of that funding to Baylor has been dedicated to the ongoing work of David G. Poplack, MD, co-developer of Passport for Care® developed to translate complex follow-up guidelines for childhood cancer survivors into user-friendly, personalized care plans. In 2017, Passport for Care® reached about 5,000 survivors.

Polls say 78 percent of Texas voters agree it's important to continue CPRIT's lifesaving work, and 89 percent agree it is important for Texas to remain a national leader in cancer research, treatment and survivorship planning. In April of this year, the Texas House of Representatives voted 130 to 15 to place the constitutional amendment before voters on the November 2019 general election ballot. The House resolution was unanimously approved by the Texas Senate on May 10, 2019.

SOURCE CPRIT