The March: Chicago Symposium

Cancer symposium emphasizes recent progress, need to increase efforts

September 20, 1998

As part of "The March," a nationwide effort to emphasize the need for more research funding, the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center will present a symposium for cancer patients, their families, and others at risk. The symposium, entitled "Beginning the End of Cancer," will take place from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., on Saturday, September 26, 1998.

The meeting, to be held on campus at the Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine, 5758 S. Maryland, will bring cancer researchers from the University and local political leaders together to discuss recent advances against cancer and ways to speed up progress.

"The United States has remarkable resources for waging the war on cancer," insists Richard Schilsky, MD, director of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, "but they are not being optimally employed."
"Government funding is too low to stage the all-out war promised by the National Cancer Act of 1971," Schilsky notes. "At the same time, the other partners in cancer research--the drug companies, physician networks, and cooperative groups that conduct clinical trials--are unnecessarily competing with each other."

As a result, new knowledge moves far too slowly from the laboratory bench to the patient's bedside.

"Finding ways to cooperate rather than compete could increase the effects of research dollars,"said Schilsky.

The purpose of The March is to draw national attention to the lack of funding for cancer research. Local efforts, at cancer centers around the country, are designed to bring the interested public up to date on the battle, to demonstrate the public's concern, and to urge our elected officials to make fighting cancer a higher priority."

Admission to the symposium is free, but participants are requested to make reservations by calling (773) 702-6180.

A citywide candlelight vigil and interfaith service will be held in Grant Park on Friday, September 25, 1998. For more information on that event, call the Chicago Committee for The March at (312) 355-0897.