BCAN Joins Leading Cancer Organizations in Urging Congress to Protect NIH Research Funding

August 13, 2025

Bethesda, MD — In the face of proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget, the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) has joined 40 of the nation’s leading cancer advocacy organizations and coalitions in sending an urgent letter to Senate appropriations leaders, calling for sustained federal investment in medical research. Read the letter here.

The July 29, 2025 letter expressed deep concern about the potential impact of NIH budget reductions.  Moreover, it emphasized that cancer impacts every American, regardless of political affiliation, and that research must remain a national priority.  In his or her lifetime, Americans have a 40% chance of developing cancer and in 2025 alone, more than 2 million people will receive a cancer diagnosis[1]. 

BCAN was proud to lead the effort and partner with some of the leading national cancer advocacy and research groups because, since its founding in 2005, the organization has been committed to advancing bladder cancer research to save lives.  Meri-Margaret Deoudes, BCAN’s CEO, said, “We have a responsibility to continue the critical work that began two decades ago to support research and help create better todays and more tomorrows for bladder cancer and all cancer patients.”

Deoudes added, “We are united by shared goals—including advancing scientific discovery, accelerating discoveries across all cancer types and improving outcomes for patients and families.”

NIH-supported research has driven remarkable progress in early detection, targeted treatments, and survivorship, thanks to decades of bipartisan commitment to scientific innovation. BCAN and its partners made the point that reducing NIH funding would jeopardize ongoing, life-saving research and slow the pace of future breakthroughs that offer hope to millions.

The letter to the Senate leaders underscored the bipartisan history of investment in medical science and called on lawmakers to reject cuts that could derail years of progress.

Meri-Margaret Deoudes added, “Federal investment—particularly through the NIH and the National Cancer Institute (NCI)—is often the only avenue for advancing understanding and treatment of this disease. Drastically reducing that investment now would leave patients behind and break the fragile momentum we’ve built toward brighter futures for cancer patients and those who love them.”

“Bladder cancer research is not abstract—it is urgent. It is personal. Those with bladder cancer often have to undergo lifetime, onerous surveillance procedures to determine if a tumor has remained in remission, returned or spread.  It is literally a matter of life and death,” said Deoudes. “Thanks to NIH-backed innovation, we’ve seen advances in immunotherapy, personalized medicine and quality of life.

But that momentum cannot continue without uninterrupted and substantial federal support.”

About BCAN
The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, or BCAN, was founded in 2005 and provides patients with the critical information and community support they need to thrive today – and champions innovative research and responsive national policy to inspire hope for tomorrow.

You can join BCAN’s advocacy efforts by filling out the information on this page.

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[1] American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2025.