{"id":378017,"date":"2026-08-22T02:30:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T02:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/378017\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T02:30:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T02:30:24","slug":"in-orlando-desantis-announces-cancer-grants-applications-are-open-touts-increased-research-dollars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/378017\/","title":{"rendered":"In Orlando, DeSantis announces cancer grants applications are open, touts increased research dollars"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\u00a0First Lady Casey DeSantis and members of the Cancer Connect Collaborative.<\/p>\n

Credit: Cancer Connect Collaborative<\/p>\n

Florida is accepting applications for $70 million in cancer \u201cinnovation\u201d funds.<\/p>\n

During a press conference in Orlando Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced\u00a0the availability of cancer innovation grant funds<\/a>\u00a0for next year and the\u00a0latest list of researchers<\/a>\u00a0chosen to receive grants.<\/p>\n

During a lengthy press conference, the governor touted his administration\u2019s focus on increasing cancer research funding during his tenure in office, an interest inspired by First Lady Casey DeSantis\u2019 cancer diagnosis and treatment.<\/p>\n

DeSantis successfully pushed for increasing funds to the \u201cNational Cancer Institute (NCI) Centers Program,\u201d created in 2014 by former Gov. Rick Scott and later renamed for Casey DeSantis, who\u00a0disclosed in October 2021<\/a>\u00a0she had breast cancer. The governor announced\u00a0she was cancer free<\/a>\u00a0in March 2022.<\/p>\n

The $127.5 million Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program provides research dollars to NCI facilities: Moffitt Cancer Center; University of Florida Health Cancer Center; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center.<\/p>\n

A push by the DeSantis administration to steer dollars away from the NCI-designated facilities and to a larger number of\u00a0 cancer hospitals and healthcare providers was repeatedly rejected by the Legislature. Although unwilling to go along with the DeSantis push for change, lawmakers did provide for cancer innovation grants as well as money to establish a pediatric cancer research incubator.<\/p>\n

In all, DeSantis said Wednesday that since 2019 when he took office Florida has invested more than $1.4 billion in cancer research and treatment, and funding for cancer research programs\u00a0 increased by more than 175% under his administration.<\/p>\n

The American Cancer Society\u00a0estimates<\/a>\u00a0there will be 2,114,850 new cancer cases nationwide in 2026. Also nationwide, the society projects that 626,140 people will die from cancer in 2026. More than 50,000 deaths are projected in Florida.<\/p>\n

Although California is projected to have the most new cases with 206,500, Florida is projected to have 183,100 new cases, ranking it second highest in the nation. The cancer society says the biggest caseloads will involve prostate cancer diagnoses (26,970) followed by breast cancer (24,700).<\/p>\n

Since 2019, Florida has invested more than $1.4 billion in cancer research and treatment under DeSantis. In Fiscal Year 2026-27 alone, Florida committed nearly $228 million to cancer research and innovation.<\/p>\n

\u201cGov. DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis have shown tremendous leadership in making cancer research a priority in Florida, and I\u2019m incredibly grateful for their continued commitment,\u201d Department of Health Secretary and State Health Officer Joseph Ladapo said. \u201cThese investments give researchers the freedom to ask important questions, explore new ideas, and follow the evidence wherever it leads.\u201d<\/p>\n

Florida Phoenix<\/a>\u00a0is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Contact Michael Moline for questions:\u00a0info@floridaphoenix.com<\/a>. Follow Florida Phoenix on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Stay<\/p>\n

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