WASHINGTON D.C., June 2, 2023 – – HunterSeven Foundation, a veteran-founded nonprofit organization focusing on cancer prevention, education, and identification, announced today their selection and involvement as founding members of CancerX – a public-private partnership (PPP) to act as a national accelerator to boost creation and innovation in the fight against cancer.
In early 2022, President Joe Biden reignited the Cancer Moonshot, setting new national goals to cut the death rate from cancer by at least 50% over the next 25 years and improve the experience of people and their families living with and surviving cancer. In its first year, the reignited Cancer Moonshot announced over 25 new programs, policies, and resources to pursue these goals. In the first year, the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services launched CancerX. Efforts of CancerX and the HunterSeven Foundation will include:
- National innovation accelerator initiatives, including a government-wide effort to develop evidence-based tools to improve cancer patient care coordination, identification, and communication among military veterans and service members.
- Together, we’ll drive support for and accelerate the development of biotech and health tech solutions focused on the cancer care continuum, including prevention, detection, treatment, and transitions in care for those in uniform.
- Increase availability and affordability of prevention-focused cancer screenings and early detection tests in at-risk populations to include those serving our nation.
- Continue to work as a trusted liaison for military service members, veterans and their families in being the voice of the community needs on Capitol Hill, the Department of Veterans Affairs and White House, advocating and educating for veteran-specific cancer care.
In addition to the HunterSeven Foundation, and co-hosts Moffitt Cancer Center and Digital Medicine Society, Inc. (DiME), other cancer-fighting partners include Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the Department of Veterans Affairs, ASCO Cancer LinQ, Oracle, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Amazon Web Services, and many others – totaling 91 founding partners.
The HunterSeven Foundation is honored to be included as the only nonprofit organization dedicated to serving military veterans with cancer and health outcomes on the CancerX initiative. We look forward to keeping lines of communication open and accessible for any feedback our fellow military veterans have or concerns they’d like addressed.
“Since 2023, we’ve lost 108 post-9/11 military members and veterans to cancer. Some are as young as 18 years old. The majority of these cancers are preventable but are treatable if diagnosed in earlier stages. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case, and we tend to see end-stage cancer diagnoses in young, otherwise healthy veterans. This cannot continue. I am confident with the support of CancerX, Moffitt Cancer Center, and DiME, we’ll be able to make an impactful, lifesaving dent into this problem,” said Chelsey Simoni, clinical nurse researcher at the HunterSeven Foundation.
About HunterSeven Foundation
The HunterSeven Foundation was named in honor of the late Army SgtMaj. Robert J. Bowman (Callsign HUNTER7) passed away from military service-related cancer. Established as a nonprofit organization in late 2018 by medical providers and post-9/11 veterans who noticed the increasing problem and were determined to assist with a solution. The foundation is unique in as it is the only organization supporting post-9/11 veterans by conducting evidence-based research, providing clinical education, and physically screening those at risk for cancer while supporting those currently battling cancers through our immediate medical needs programs.
Learn more at www.HunterSeven.org or email us at info@HunterSeven.org
Twitter: @H7Foundation • Instagram: @HunterSevenFoundation • Facebook: @HunterSevenFoundation • LinkedIn: @HunterSevenFoundation
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