February 16, 2011
New publication and web site honors congressional biomedical research champions
February 16, 2011 – United for Medical Research (UMR), a group of leading research institutions, patient and health advocates and private industry will today launch Profiles of Promise, a compilation of interviews with exceptional bipartisan leaders in Congress who realize the benefits of strong federal support for biomedical research funding, at a Capitol Hill event. This comes on the heels of President Obama’s FY2012 budget proposal released Monday, including $32 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Profiles of Promise, which consists of a web site, video and publication, features bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers: Senators Cardin (D-MD), Casey (D-PA), Harkin (D-IA) and Shelby (R-AL); and Congressmen Bilbray (R-CA), DeLauro(D-CT), Honda (D-CA), Reichert (R-WA), and Roybal-Allard (D-CA). The project highlights the foundation of the Members’ underlying commitment as champions for lifesaving scientific research and their personal stories of how they’ve been touched by disease and inspired to fight for the next generation of medical advances.
In addition to the Profiles champions, Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., Director of NIH will speak about the importance of strong funding of biomedical research. Other speaking include Jared Cohon, Ph.D., President, Carnegie Mellon University; George Ann Blough, Volunteer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Lisa A. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Hopkins Center to Eliminate Cardiovascular Disparities, Johns Hopkins University; and Scott Bruder, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, BD. This diverse group reflects the interwoven interests that are deeply invested in supporting biomedical research funding in the U.S.
“These congressional champions realize the far-reaching benefits of continued investment in biomedical research and innovation — not just for medical advancement, but also as part of the long-term solution to our nation’s economic challenges,” said Jared Cohon, President of Carnegie Mellon University, who spoke on behalf of the Association of American Universities. “Investing in NIH will reduce the burden of illness and disease, create the bioscience jobs of tomorrow and maintain our competitive edge as the global leader in medical research, bipartisan goals on which lawmakers on both sides of the aisle can agree.”
To see the Profiles of Promise video and Member profiles visit:http://www.profilesofpromise.com/.
About United for Medical Research:
United for Medical Research represents leading research institutions, patient and health advocates and private industry, joined together to seek steady increases in federal funding for the National Institutes of Health. The coalition groups consist of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Association of American Universities, Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, BD, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Life Technologies, PhRMA, Research!America, Stanford University, The Endocrine Society, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University and Washington University in St. Louis. For more information, visit: www.unitedformedicalresearch.com.
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