Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton says that she would continue the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, if elected. In a statement, Clinton says that, as president, she would "take up the charge."
In his State of the Union address earlier this year, President Barack Obama announced the creation of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative and named Vice President Joe Biden as its coordinator. It's a personal endeavor for Biden, as his son Beau died of brain cancer last year, and Biden has said the initiative will encourage data sharing, patient access to clinical trials, and more.
The White House has sought $1 billion over two years in funding for the moonshot, though it has only received a portion of that amount, and Clinton also calls on Congress to fill the administration's funding request. Morning Consult notes that both parties in Congress are supportive of the initiative.
"My Administration will carry out the mission the Vice President has set, and continue to call on his advice, leadership, compassion, and sheer strength of will," Clinton says. "Together, we will seize this moment. Together, we will make cancer as we know it a disease of the past."