For two years, my daughter-in-law has been receiving treatment for endometrial cancer: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The most advanced treatment — immunotherapy — uses the body’s immune system to fight the cancer cells. We were devastated when we learned of her diagnosis and I immediately worried about what the future might hold for her and my two teenage grandchildren. However, knowing that she is receiving the best available treatment gives us hope for her survival.

The U.S. has one of the highest rates of cancer survival in the world. This achievement is the result of more than 50 years of government investment in cancer research. Tragically, in the last few months, the Trump administration has canceled hundreds of millions of dollars in cancer-related research grants requiring scientists throughout the country to halt their life saving work. The world-renowned Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor could lose $60 million a year in federal research funding.

Forty percent of Americans will receive a cancer diagnosis at some time in their lives. How many of them will die as a result of this appalling action? Please ask our representatives in Washington to restore this vital funding.

Linda Wilcox
Monmouth