Members of Congress Ask National Cancer Institute to Raise Profile of Gastric Cancer Research

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Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer

Dec 02, 2013, 08:35 ET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer (DDF) hailed action by members of the U.S. Senate to raise the research profile of gastric cancer research. The action, which took place during Curing Stomach Cancer Month, was in the form of a bipartisan letter to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Harold Varmus, M.D., led by Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and signed by Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Brian Schatz (D-HI).

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131202/PH25530-a )

DDF advocates, including gastric cancer patients, caregivers & physicians from 16 states and Canada. Front: Tammy Houda (MI), Cyndi Ferguson (NE), Crissy O'Donnell (VA), Kristin Fitzgerald (IL), Debbie Zelman (FL), Madelyn Zelman (FL), Robin Moselle (FL), Second Row: Janet Johnson (WA), Donna Kuchinski (NJ), Angela Bosela (OH), Laura Lewin (NC), Monica Lopez (AZ) Christine Larson (AZ) Bonita Briggs (NY), Dennis Howard (GA), Third Row: David Kubiliun (FL), Robert Schoffel (FL), Anthony Leonard (NC) Steve Marks (District of Columbia), Tristan Dawson (MD) Millie McConnell (Canada), Back: Richard Elkin (NJ), Christy Leonard (NC), Paul Bosela (OH), Adam Kuchinski (VA), and Blake Vanderlan.(PRNewsFoto/Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer) (PRNewsFoto/DEBBIE'S DREAM FOUNDATION...)

Robert Schoffel (Davie, FL), Debbie Zelman (Davie, FL), Sally Canfield (Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy for Senator Marco Rubio), Robin Moselle (Plantation, FL), Madelyn Zelman (Plantation, FL), and David Kubiliun (Miami, FL). (PRNewsFoto/Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer) (PRNewsFoto/DEBBIE'S DREAM FOUNDATION...)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131202/PH25530-b )

The letter raised concern about the growing incidence of gastric cancer in young adults and specifically the increase in cardia gastric cancer – cancer that arises in the top part of the stomach. "These factors taken together send an alarming message. We urge NCI to stem these concerning trends by dedicating more research resources to understanding this deadly cancer – particularly devoting resources to the cancer subtypes that are on the rise due to factors not yet understood," the senators wrote.

It is estimated that in 2013 gastric cancer will account for 21,000 new cancer cases in the United States and result in nearly 11,000 deaths. The overall five-year relative survival rate for people with gastric cancer in the United States is about 27 percent. At Stage IV, the five-year survival rate is four percent. These statistics offer a compelling case for why more funding is needed for gastric cancer. Currently, gastric cancer receives by far the lowest amount of research funding for the common cancers at NCI, at only $12 million in 2012, or 0.4 percent of NCI-funded research.

The Senate letter complements a letter sent to the NCI in July by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. That letter was led by Reps. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) and signed by 37 other representatives.

"These letters constitute critical steps toward reaching our goal of increased federal funding for gastric cancer research," said DDF President and Founder Debbie Zelman.

"Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer is thrilled and honored to have the support of members of Congress who share our concerns about the state of gastric cancer research in this country," said Kristin Fitzgerald, Chair of DDF's Advocacy Committee. "Gastric cancer is one of 20 cancers being studied under The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), but without more funding for gastric cancer research, the promise of the TCGA will go unfulfilled."

On May 20, 2013 DDF held its first Capitol Hill Stomach Cancer Advocacy Day in Washington, DC. DDF advocates, including gastric cancer patients, caregivers and physicians, from 16 states traveled to Capitol Hill to share personal experiences with gastric cancer and to advocate for more research dedicated to this deadly disease.

"The Senate and House letters to NCI are products of a nearly year-long advocacy effort that moves us closer to our ultimate goal of curing stomach cancer," said Ms. Zelman.

About Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer: DDF was founded by Debbie Zelman after she was diagnosed with Stage IV incurable stomach cancer in 2008 and given only weeks to live. Zelman immediately began to educate herself about this disease and to seek the best available care. When she responded favorably to her treatment, Debbie founded DDF which now has 18 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, and a Medical Advisory Board of 24 renowned doctors from across the country. DDF hosts free stomach cancer education webinars and symposia and offers a free Patient Resource Education Program. Five years since her diagnosis, Debbie still receives chemotherapy but is thrilled to be able to watch her three children grow up and to help people all over the world.

DDF is the leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to internationally raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support to patients, families, and caregivers. Debbie's Dream Foundation seeks as its ultimate goal to make the cure for stomach cancer a reality.

Media Contact: Jenna Reed
(954) 475-1200 or Email

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