Cancer Research and Covid-19

OK, I'll be up front about this from the start -- I'm going to ask you for a donation for cancer research. Keep reading, even if you're not able to contribute.

My friend Rodrigo wrote a few weeks ago asking of I thought all of the research being done on Covid-19 would mean less money for cancer research, especially research on Follicular Lymphoma. I said that I didn't think so, and I still think that's true. Much of the research on cancer has been going on for years. It can take up to 10 years for a treatment to begin in a laboratory, be tested on non-humans (like mice), and then go through phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials, before it can be approved by the FDA or another regulatory body. Often, that research is funded for multiple years at a time. Funders know a new treatment will take some time.

This idea seems to be on many minds. An article in CURE, a magazine for cancer patients, points out that the FDA is continuing to review and approve cancer treatments, despite the pandemic. And some of those treatments have been for Follicular Lymphoma, as you may know.

One problem, though, might come not so much from money being moved to different priorities, but instead from the working conditions that the pandemic has brought on. Many people have been working from home, me included. My work is conveniently something that I can do from home, fairly effectively. But that's not the case for someone who works in a state-of-art laboratory, working closely with a team of 8 or 10 people. Like, unfortunately, many cancer researchers. In fact, the American Cancer Society surveyed some cancer researchers, and found that about half of them had their research put on hold. This was mostly because they couldn't get to their labs. The ACS decided to delay their funding for two months -- researchers would normally get grant money in July, but will now get it in September.

But that's not to say money isn't a problem, too.

There might very well be some funds that are going to Covid-related research that might have gone to cancer research. More importantly, groups that raise money for cancer research are just going to have a tougher time.  People have less money to donate, and events that used to get people excited about donating just aren't happening, or aren't happening in the same way. Cancer walks and benefit concerts are a lot tougher for people.

One of those events is the Pan Mass Challenge, a bike ride across Massachusetts that raises money for cancer research. My brother has raised thousands of dollars for this cause. that's the donation I mentioned above. More on that below.

So I don't think cancer research is going to stop, and as labs open up again, we might find that it is only behind by a few months. Maybe that doesn't matter in a few years, since research seems to be picking up speed, anyway. Or maybe being out of the lab gives researchers a chance to think creatively, and the change of scenery will result in new directions that might not have been considered before.

But we probably won't know the impact of Covid-19 on cancer research for a few years. My guess is, still, that in the long run, we're going to be OK.

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Now, on to fundraising.

The Pan Mass Challenge is a fundraiser for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts (where I grew up). Every year, thousands of people ride their bikes across the state, raising money and awareness.

One of those riders, for the 13th year, has been my brother Mike. In his time with the PMC, he has raised over $70,000 for cancer research, and I am very proud of all the work he has done. On his fundraising page, he explains why he rides:

I ride in memory of and support for my many family members and friends that have been cancer patients. I've seen the dedicated staff in action and outstanding care that patients have received at Dana-Farber, as well as the advances in treatment that are a direct result of the research conducted by the staff at Dana-Farber. Please help me by continuing to support the work of the Doctors at DFMC, and their quest to find a cure.


Because of the pandemic, those thousands of riders won't be able to ride together. Which is too bad -- less support from one another. However, they have found creative ways to continue the tradition, raise funds, and make sure that cancer researchers can continue their work. My brother will be part of a smaller group of riders who will do a 60 mile ride together through the towns that they live in. I admire their dedication.

Last year, riders raised about $63 million. This year, with less than three weeks to go before the ride, they have raised less than $18 million. They could use some help.

If you are able, please consider making a donation. My brother's fundraising page is here. Every little bit helps support cancer research.

Thanks for considering it.