On May 14, 2002, U.S. President George Bush signed the Hematological Cancer Research Investment and Education Act of 2002, creating Public Law No. 107-172. This law is the result of the work of a number of members of the U.S. Congress, national organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and prominent leaders such as former Rep. Geraldine Ferraro.

Focus on hematological cancers
Hematological cancers are cancers of the blood. These include:

• leukemia - cancer of the blood-producing bone marrow; many different types
• lymphoma - cancer of white blood cells and lymphoid tissue; includes Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, among others
• multiple myeloma - cancer of plasma cells

The "Findings" section of the Act states that each year over 100,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with one of these blood cancers, and that these cancers account for 8.6% of new cancer cases each year. It also states that it is estimated that more than 60,000 people die of blood cancer in the United States each year, approximately one every 9 minutes.

New programs established
At present, less than 5% of Federal funds for cancer research are spent on blood cancer research. To address this, the Act establishes two programs to increase research and education about blood cancers. Rather than setting a dollar amount for funding, the Act provides "such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002 and each subsequent fiscal year."

Joe Moakley Research Excellence Program
Named in honor of the late U.S. Rep. J. Joseph Moakley (D-Mass), who died in 2001 of leukemia, this program is established as part of the National Institutes of Health. Its purpose is to "expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of research with respect to blood cancer, and particularly with respect to leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma." It will work in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and other appropriate agencies.

Geraldine Ferraro Cancer Education Program
Former Rep. Geraldine Ferraro announced in June 2001 that she has multiple myeloma. This program, named in her honor and prompted by her advocacy, will be part of the Department of Health and Human Services. Its purpose is "to establish and carry out a program to provide information and education for patients and the general public with respect to blood cancer, and particularly with respect to the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma." The program will work "in collaboration with private health organizations that have national education and patient assistance programs on blood-related cancers."

Information for this article was taken from the Hematological Cancer Research and Investment Act of 2002.

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