In President Biden’s address to the nation after dropping out of the election race, he said he would “keep fighting for my Cancer Moonshot.” He will, at least, for his remaining six months in office. Biden’s impending exit from the political stage leaves uncertainty hanging over the future of this signature health initiative, which Biden began first as vice president under Barack Obama and later renewed as president.
Some advocates said there was a concern that if former President Donald Trump defeats Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden’s presumptive successor, this November, cancer research and care could become deemphasized and the moonshot might at a minimum be rebranded. Still, many cancer experts and advocates also expressed optimism that no matter who enters the White House, cancer would remain a priority in the next government.
“We’ve seen strong bipartisan support throughout administrations, including the previous administration, including for cancer research funding,” said Karen Knudsen, the CEO of the American Cancer Society and the ACS Cancer Action Network. “We stand a very good chance of continuing this momentum against cancer. We have to.”
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