Austin Daily Herald

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Vice President Joe Biden is organizing a Cancer Moonshot Summit, which will spark cancer discussions in communities across the United States. Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Health are hosting the conversation on Wednesday, June 29 in Minneapolis, simulcasting with Vice President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C.

Local and regional researchers, oncologists, care providers, philanthropists, data and tech experts, advocates, patients, patients’ families and survivors are invited to convene under the national charge to double the rate of progress toward a cure. The summit aims to generate ideas and commitments that will accelerate advances in cancer research, prevention, treatment and survivorship.

“Minnesota’s cancer-focused communities bring much to the table, from research to patient and family care and support” said Douglas Yee, M.D., director of the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota. “We are proud to have such strong community partners as we work both locally and nationally to achieve the goals of the national Cancer Moonshot initiative.”

Leadership from The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, will participate in the summit. Ann M. Bode, Associate Director of The Hormel Institute and leader of Biomarkers and Drug Resistance and co-leader of Molecular and Cellular Biology research sections at The Hormel Institute, will be one of four featured speakers representing top cancer research, care and progress in Minnesota. Representatives from Masonic Cancer Center/University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic and Minnesota Cancer Alliance will also be featured. Dr. Bode will present The Hormel Institute’s history of Cancer Collaboration and Progress as well as serve on a cancer prevention panel.

Dr. James Robinson, leader of the Cell Signaling & Tumorigenesis research section, will serve as a panelist for the discussion titled, “Beyond Chemo & Radiation: Using the immune system, vaccines, and viruses to beat cancer.”

Vice President Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative was established following the 2016 State of the Union address. Its goal is to speed up the progress toward a cure for cancer, using partnership, research, and data — as well as the dedication of millions of Americans —to achieve a decade of results in half the time. To do this, the National Cancer Institutes-designated comprehensive cancer centers are each working locally within their communities to determine strengths to contribute to the larger effort.

The summit will take place on Wednesday at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; McNamara Alumni Center, 200 SE Oak St., Minneapolis, MN 55445.