According to the National Cancer Institute, roughly 39 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. With such a high number of people, cancer research is vital now more than ever.
But coupled with research is funding, and financial support is an integral piece of ensuring researchers have the proper materials needed to make cutting-edge discoveries in relation to cancer treatment.
Lori Hazlehurst is a professor of pharmaceutical sciences and co-leader of the Alexander B. Osborn Hematopoietic Malignancy and Transplantation Program Clinical Service at the WVU Cancer Institute, and stresses the impact of financial support on education, research and future of healthcare across the United States.
This is where her support for the Gold Blue and You, faculty and staff campus campaign, stems.
“With the [National Cancer Institute] budget on the verge of being cut and the flat growth rate of government grants it has become apparent that research funds driven by the private sector is becoming more and more critical,” said Hazlehurst. “My belief is that research has long term impact on education, quality of life and the local and national economy, thus I always like to link my gifts directly to research and more specifically cancer research as cancer has impacted many of my friends and relatives.”
Hazlehurst’s support also stems from wanting to be in a more academic environment, having the opportunity to make a difference on future scientists, as well as the future of cancer treatment.
Moving from the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, Hazlehurst made the decision to accept a position with WVU upon deciding to work for a more academically research focused institution.
“My decision to move was based on my desire to move from an institute-based research center to a place where you had the opportunity to impact the next generation of scientists at an academic institute,” Hazlehurst said. “Additionally it was clear to me that WVU was going to support innovation, faculty-based start-up companies and translation of lab science to the bedside.”
Hazlehurst also mentioned that the faculty and staff within WVU are “the University’s greatest advocates for the need to support research in academic centers.”
To make a gift and learn more about Gold Blue and You, WVU’s campus-wide, faculty and staff campaign, visit goldblueandyou.com. To invest in the WVU Cancer Institute, contact Jaime Good at 304.293.4597 or jgood@hsc.wvu.edu.
Contributions made to the Gold Blue and You Campaign are made in conjunction with A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University which runs through December 2017.