House Approves $3.5 Million for City of Hope

October 10, 2002

WASHINGTON - Calling federal funding for the City of Hope, "critical to the groundbreaking research conducted at this world class facility," Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, hailed House approval of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act Conference Report, H.R. 5010. The bill provides funding for defense and intelligence activities, as well as supporting important national medical research projects through the Department of Navy.

"We are fortunate to have one of the nation’s premier cancer research centers right here in our own backyard," said Dreier. "The City of Hope has made great strides in the detection and treatment of cancer, especially breast and prostate cancer. Today, Congress is set to approve legislation that adds to four years and nearly $9 million of support for the City of Hope’s important mission. This $3.5 million will allow the City of Hope to purchase new imaging technology, paving the way to future breakthroughs. Scientists at the City of Hope will be able to detect cancer tumors earlier than ever before, improving our understanding of how cancer forms and what we can do to prevent it."

The City of Hope National Medical Center located in Duarte, California, is a nationally recognized center of excellence for basic and clinical research in bone marrow transplantation and in breast and prostate cancer. The funding provided by H.R. 5010 builds on nearly $9 million in federal support received by the center since 1999. The funding continues a long term project for the recruitment of additional scientists and allows for purchase of new imaging technology. The imaging technology will enable observation of tumors as small as 1mm in diameter, giving scientists the power to better understand the biochemical changes associated with tumors, strokes, and other diseases.

Dreier commended Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, for including support for the City of Hope in the bill. "The City of Hope has already made tremendous contributions to cancer research and with this funding will continue to play an important role in the effort to eradicate cancer," Dreier said.