Mesothelioma community member, patient, and Meso Foundation’s board member, Jessica Blackford-Cleeton just concluded her participation in the review process for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP).
Jessica was nominated for participation in the program by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. As a consumer reviewer, she was a full voting member of the group tasked to determine to which projects the $17.5 million appropriated by Congress for Fiscal Year 2022 will be awarded.
Consumer reviewers are asked to represent the collective view of patients by preparing comments on the impact of research on issues such as diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life.
The U.S. Congress established the Rare Cancers Research Program in the FY20 Department of Defense appropriation. With this new program, consumer advocates and scientists work together in this unique partnership to evaluate the scientific merit of research applications. COL Sarah B. Goldman, Director of the CDMRP, expressed her appreciation for the consumer advocates’ hard work. “Integrating consumer perspectives into our decision-making process brings energy and focus to our research programs. Patients, caregivers, family members, and advocates help us keep our efforts center around what is truly important to those impacted. We very much value this critical input from our consumers who help ensure the CDMRP’s work remains critical and relevant,” she said.
Meosthelioma is currently funded through two programs within the CDMRP. In addition to the rare cancers program, scientists can also apply and compete for an additional $120 million housed within the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP). Over the years, these programs have funded more than $22.5 million worth of mesothelioma research. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation has been solely responsible for adding and maintaining mesothelioma as an eligible topic.
Scientists applying propose to greatly improve outcomes for people with rare cancers through discovery, community building, and expansion of knowledge across the cancer landscape. The RCRP fills important gaps not addressed by other funding agencies by supporting groundbreaking research while encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.
More information about the CDMRP’s RCRP is available at cdmrp.army.mil/rcrp/default.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to eradicate mesothelioma and end this national tragedy. Its programs include the funding of promising and peer-reviewed research, education, support and advocacy. The organization strives to bring together thought-leaders in the field to identify the most direct path to a cure.
