Dr. Peter Bridgman, a retired neurologist living with cancer, is actively campaigning to restore funding for federal cancer research agencies. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2013, Bridgman, 72, has been benefiting from advancements in treatment but is concerned about the future of such research. His efforts include gathering signatures for an online petition aimed at reinstating budget levels for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Funding Cuts Threaten Research Progress
Bridgman noted that while NIH and NCI anticipated minor funding cuts of around five to ten percent, the reality was far more severe. “They were completely floored by the 37 percent cut to the NCI,” he stated. This significant reduction poses a risk to ongoing research, which could lead to a delay in treatment options that he and many others may rely on in the future.
As a resident of Yarmouth, Bridgman is leveraging his local community to advocate for cancer research funding. He is going door-to-door, asking neighbors to support the cause by signing the petition available at fightcancer.org. “In order to save lives, we have to restore funding to close to what it was before,” he emphasized. “If we let the funding bounce up and down, researchers will go to other countries. They’ll go to the European Union or China, and we’ll lose all of that.”
Community Support for Cancer Research
Local resident John Auble expressed his support after signing the petition, stating, “Overall, I think cancer is underfunded. So every time we have somebody who is willing to put in the time that he does, it’s really touching.” Auble added, “We need more Peters,” highlighting the importance of advocacy in the fight against cancer.
On December 2, 2023, Bridgman, along with members of the American Cancer Society, plans to deliver the collected signatures to the office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins in Portland. Their goal is to ensure that when Congress reconvenes, the importance of cancer research funding is recognized and prioritized.
With advanced cancer treatment options at stake, the efforts of individuals like Bridgman underscore the need for continued investment in medical research. As he rallies his community, the hope remains that federal funding will be restored to support groundbreaking treatments that could save countless lives.
