FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robin Swanson
Press@Yeson38.com
Leading civil rights organization joins growing coalition supporting breakthrough immunology medical research to help prevent and cure cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and other devastating illnesses
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the NAACP California Hawaii State Conference announced its support for Prop 38, the Immunology Medical Research & Cures Initiative on California’s November ballot, joining a growing coalition of patient advocates, health organizations, doctors, nurses, scientists and community leaders supporting breakthrough medical research to develop life-saving treatments and cures.
The endorsement adds one of the nation’s leading civil rights organizations to the YES on Prop 38 coalition and underscores the importance of continued medical research for communities that experience significant disparities in serious diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
“Proposition 38 represents an opportunity to provide hope to Californians and their families by developing cures for diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, which disproportionately impact African Americans,” said Dr. Rick L. Callender, Esq., President of the NAACP California Hawaii State Conference. “Prop 38 improves health equity by ensuring that Californians from all walks of life will have access to lifesaving cures that have historically been out of reach to California’s disadvantaged communities.”
Black Californians are disproportionately affected by many serious health conditions. An analysis of California cancer data conducted by the American Cancer Society found that compared to White people, cancer mortality rates are 16% higher among Black men and 10% higher in Black women. These disparities add urgency to the search for better treatments and cures.
Prop 38 represents a new approach to medical research funding, creating a collaborative statewide network that combines competitive research grants with a world-class immunology institute designed to help turn discoveries into life-saving treatments and cures. Half of its $8.4 billion will support competitive grants at California universities and nonprofit research institutions, while half will support a nonprofit immunology institute affiliated with the University of California that can bring together leading scientists, technology, laboratories, patients and clinical trials. The California Department of Public Health will select an eligible institute based on strict criteria. Prop 38 also requires collaboration among grantees so discoveries, expertise and best practices can be shared across institutions rather than siloed.
Immunotherapies harness the body’s own immune system to recognize and stop disease. Breakthrough immunotherapies are already saving and extending lives for patients with cancers including melanoma, lung cancer, leukemia and lymphoma, giving researchers a foundation to pursue the next generation of treatments and cures.
Prop 38 comes at a critical moment as federal research funding cuts and uncertainty threaten to delay medical research, clinical trials and future breakthroughs. The measure will create a stable source of funding for scientists and medical experts working to advance life-saving treatments and cures.
Prop 38 is designed to pay for itself. Ten percent of all proceeds from the licensing of immunotherapies must be returned to California to offset the measures total costs, including interest. Additionally, any cure or immunotherapy developed will be provided to California patients at a 20 percent discount. Prop 38 also includes strict accountability requirements, including:
- 2 percent cap on state administrative expenses
- Public disclosure of spending
- Independent financial audits
- For-profit corporations are not eligible for grant funding
The NAACP California Hawaii State Conference joins a broad and diverse coalition supporting YES on Prop 38, including:
California Black Health Network
Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement
California Human Development
Comité de Acción del Valle
Latino Diabetes Association
Social Equity LA
The Wall Las Memorias
Via Care Community Health Center
Alzheimer’s Association/AIM
ALS Association
Blood Cancer United
City of Hope
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
*Partial list
Learn more about YES on Prop 38, see the full coalition and hear from supporters at YesOn38.com.