Published: 04-25-08
Edinburg - State Representative Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen) addressed the membership of Us Too - McAllen Chapter a prostrate cancer support group as a guest speaker to deliver her message of hope for advancing cancer research in Texas at the Edinburg Regional Medical Center.
Statistics are well known but they are no less shocking” said Gonzales. These men and their families are the lucky ones.” Among the most shocking statistics state that in Texas; one in four deaths is caused by cancer. A new case of prostate cancer occurs ever 2.5 minutes and a man dies from prostrate cancer every 19 minutes. The estimated total cost of cancer in Texas is $30 billion a year.
Rep. Gonzales shared with the audience of cancer survivors her hope with the success of Texans’ efforts to approve the landmark creation of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. “Texans have shown their great compassion in approving a constitutional amendment that will put us one step closer to finding a cure for cancer” said Gonzales.
The Scientific Research and Prevention Programs Committee’s primary role will be disbursing grants and working with the Oversight Committee which will includes distinguished members of the scientific community active in cancer treatment and both public and private research institutions.
“This initiative is a testament to Texas’ commitment to make cancer research a priority” said Gonzales. Currently the State’s top 16 research institutions have a total of $2.8 billion to spend on all types of research not just cancer research. The voter-approved legislation provides $3 billion – or $300 million over ten years – to be dedicated exclusively to cancer research.
Us TOO McAllen Prostate Cancer Support group is a support education and advocacy group. Meetings are free and open to the Survivor/Provider community and are held every first Thursday of the month. For more information call Bob Wright at (956) 457-9378 and or the Us TOO International website at www.ustoo.org.
