LENIE'S PALETTE

Recent budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have created critical gaps in cancer research funding at a time when scientific momentum is crucial. The NIH has long been the backbone of groundbreaking cancer discoveries, from immunotherapy breakthroughs to targeted treatments that have extended and saved countless lives. When federal funding decreases, promising research stalls, clinical trials slow, and the talented scientists working toward cures face uncertain futures.

​

Cancer doesn't wait for budget cycles. Stage IV diagnoses don't pause while funding gets sorted out. Every day that research is delayed is another day families wait for better treatments, improved outcomes, and hope. Private contributions and grassroots efforts have never been more essential. When government support falters, community-driven initiatives become the lifeline that keeps critical research moving forward. Supporting cancer research today means investing in the treatments of tomorrow, treatments that could mean more time, better quality of life, and ultimately, survival for people facing diagnoses like stage IV colon cancer. We can't afford to let progress stop now.