that will benefit cancer patients in Hawai ‘ i and across the country ,” said Senator Mazie K . Hirono .
The designation has helped Cancer Center researchers make seminal advances into the understanding of the molecular basis for cancer , the identification of disparities in cancer incidence and mortality within our diverse population , engagement of the community in cancer prevention initiatives and coordination of clinical trials for cancer patients through the UH Cancer Center clinical trials network that includes the Hawai ‘ i Cancer Consortium .
The University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center is a life-changing resource for the people of Hawai ‘ i and the Pacific , conducting cutting edge research that is furthering our knowledge and understanding of cancer in our region , and improving patient care , treatment , education , and community outreach . The renewal of the Cancer Center ’ s NCI designation provides recognition of the Center ’ s exceptional advances that will continue to serve the people of Hawai ‘ i ,” said U . S . Representative Tulsi Gabbard .
In the last five years , more than 1,600 people have participated in UH Cancer Center-sponsored clinical research studies , ranging from studies on how diet and the environment may influence the development of cancer to novel treatment interventions for patients with advanced cancer .
The University of Hawai ‘ i is delighted to have the National Cancer Institute renew our designation as an NCI Cancer Center . This provides well-deserved external validation and national recognition of the important work we are doing and our path forward ,” said UH President and UH Mānoa Interim Chancellor David Lassner , PhD . “ Over the past two years , the Cancer Center has excelled in particular in novel discovery and in translating these discoveries into advances that will help cancer patients and those at risk for this debilitating disease , and we are the only Center with the will and capacity to focus on Hawai ‘ i and the Pacific . Kudos to our new Cancer Center
Director Dr . Randall Holcombe , and to all of the Center ’ s faculty and staff who pulled together as a team to make this recognition possible .”
The designation helps Cancer Center members bring in around $ 40 million per year in grants from the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) and other agencies to support research activities . This funding provides nearly $ 90 million in economic impact for the Island of O ‘ ahu every year .
According to the NCI many cancer centers are located in communities with special needs and specific populations . As a result , these centers not only disseminate evidencebased findings into communities that can benefit from these findings , but the centers can also , through the experience of working with those patients , help inform national research and treatment priorities .
The UH Cancer Center is an invaluable asset to the people of Hawai ‘ i . The research and work being done to improve diagnoses and treatments for Native Hawaiians and Asian Americans is leading-edge innovation that will benefit patients around the world . The NCI designation ensures that the UH Cancer Center will continue to be able to fulfill its mission to reduce the burden of cancer through research , education and patient care . I am committed to supporting the UH Cancer Center ’ s efforts and look forward to its continued community investment ,” said U . S . Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa .
During the grant review process , the NCI noted that the community outreach and engagement by the UH Cancer Center was exceptional , with profound impact on the populations in Hawai ‘ i and across the Pacific ,” said Dr . Holcombe .
The grant award is supported by the National Institutes of Health under award number P30CA071789 .
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