Medical College Applauds Gov. Evers Commitment to Cancer Research

Milwaukee, March 8, 2019 – As part of his executive budget proposal, Governor Tony Evers announced today he will invest $15 million in a cancer research facility at the Medical College of Wisconsin to reduce the cancer burden of Wisconsinites through research, education and outreach into the causes, prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer.

“MCW commends Governor Evers for his leadership and support to lessen the cancer burden in the state of Wisconsin and beyond,” said John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, MCW President and CEO. “Cancer is a devastating problem in Wisconsin and takes from our citizens opportunity, health, vitality and - far too often - their life. Research accelerates our pathways to cures, and we are pleased Governor Evers shares our commitment and vision to pioneer opportunities of hope for the future.”

The Governor announced his budget proposal will include a $15 million State Building Commission grant for a cancer research facility at MCW. Cancer rates and mortality are higher in Wisconsin vs. the United States, and Wisconsin’s minorities suffer from significantly higher incidence and mortality rates.

“Cancer research is one of the top research priorities at MCW,” said Dr. Raymond. “This investment and partnership will be a catalyst to attract additional federal and private research funding, create new biotech startups, and most importantly improve the health of the citizens of the state.”

A new cancer research building at MCW would have a statewide benefit for all Wisconsin residents, leading to new research discoveries and cures in cancer. These will include opportunities to recruit faculty and build programs that will:

1. Reduce cancer disparities in Wisconsin: Wisconsin has some of the greatest disparities in diagnosis and survival among less-advantaged populations in the United States, this new building will have an emphasis on ending those disparities in Wisconsin, particularly in proximity to MCW’s location in Milwaukee where most of Wisconsin’s disparities exist.
   
2. Advance cutting-edge cancer diagnosis and therapies: MCW is an international leader in the development of novel treatments for cancer including areas such as the delivery of magnetic resonance (MR) image guidance in delivery of radiation therapy for children and adults with cancer and the development of novel CAR-T cell therapies for patients.
3. Advance clinical trials for children and adults with rare or severe forms of cancer: MCW is the leading institution in Wisconsin in the placement of children and adults with a cancer diagnosis on clinical trials which offers these children and adults with cancer the best chance of cure.
4. Advance the cure of children with cancer: MCW has the largest number of pediatric cancer specialists in Wisconsin and this breadth and depth in pediatric expertise will be enhanced by the program building which will be enable by a new cancer research building.
5. Reduce the after effects of those threated for their cancer: MCW is a national leader in research looking to decrease the overall negative impact of cancer treatments on children and adults and this additional research building will spur even greater expertise and innovation in this area.

“Healthier people throughout Wisconsin and beyond is the result of MCW’s long-standing partnership with the state of Wisconsin,” said John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, MCW President and CEO. “We look forward to working with the State Building Commission and the legislature in the coming months to advance this proposal.”

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About the Medical College of Wisconsin

With a history dating back to 1893, The Medical College of Wisconsin is dedicated to leadership and excellence in education, patient care, research and community engagement. More than 1,400 students are enrolled in MCW’s medical school and graduate school programs in Milwaukee, MCW-Green Bay, and MCW-Central Wisconsin. MCW’s School of Pharmacy opened in 2017. A major national research center, MCW is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area and second largest in Wisconsin. In FY2016, faculty received more than $184 million in external support for research, teaching, training and related purposes. This total includes highly competitive research and training awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Annually, MCW faculty direct or collaborate on more than 3,100 research studies, including clinical trials. Additionally, more than 1,500 physicians provide care in virtually every specialty of medicine for more than 525,000 patients annually.