Virginia Legislative Black Caucus Urges Additional Funding for Cancer Research Center
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus on Tuesday announced its legislative agenda, including support for a $10 million budget amendment that would increase funding for a new cancer treatment center, the Newport News Daily Press reports. The funding would go toward a proton-beam therapy center developed by Hampton University. According to the Daily Press, proton-beam therapy is a "type of radiation that precisely targets tumors while sparing surrounding tissue and causing far fewer side effects than standard radiation treatment." State Sen. Mamie Locke (D) cited statistics that show blacks are more likely than whites to be diagnosed and die from certain kinds of cancer, saying, "Virginians who are African-American are suffering disproportionately due to health disparities." According to Locke, the budget amendment is not necessary for the center to open, but it would be beneficial to the center (Lessig, Newport News Daily Press, 1/17).
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