Dr. Peter Bridgman, a retired neurologist and cancer survivor, is actively campaigning to restore federal funding for cancer research agencies. After being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2013, Bridgman, now 72 years old, has experienced firsthand the importance of ongoing research and treatment options. Living in Yarmouth, Maine, he is concerned about recent funding cuts that threaten the future of cancer research at crucial institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Bridgman credits current infusion therapies for keeping him alive but emphasizes the need for continued funding. He notes that both NIH and NCI anticipated modest funding reductions of five to ten percent. Instead, they were surprised by a staggering 37 percent cut to the NCI budget. “Active research is going on and that might be curtailed. So by the time I need it, it may not be there for me,” Bridgman said.
In response to these challenges, Bridgman is going door-to-door in his neighborhood, urging residents to sign an online petition aimed at restoring funding to previous levels. “In order to save lives, we have to restore funding to close to what it was before,” he stated. He cautioned that if funding remains unstable, researchers may relocate to countries with more reliable support, such as those in the European Union or China. “It would take decades to build it back, so that’s the risk. That’s the serious risk.”
Bridgman’s neighbor, John Auble, expressed support for the initiative, stating, “Overall, I think cancer is underfunded. So every time we have somebody who is willing to put in the time that he does, it’s really touching. We need more Peters.”
For those interested in supporting the cause, further information about the petition can be found at fightcancer.org. On December 2, 2023, Bridgman, along with members from the American Cancer Society, plans to deliver the collected signatures to the office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins in Portland. They await Congress’s reconvening with hope that funding for cancer research will be restored.
This grassroots effort highlights the vital role that community engagement plays in advocating for healthcare needs, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for adequate cancer research funding.
