Dogs that have melanoma naturally, what we do is surgically take it out and transplant it in much the same way that Dr. Albertini does. A lot of the work was done here first to make sure that it was safe and non-toxic before the human trial began. One dog Dr. Hogge treated had less than a month to live. With gene therapy his tumor almost disappeared and he lived for a full year. Dr. Gary Hogge treats dogs whose cancers don't respond to chemotherapy.
Doctors say more federal funding is needed for cancer research.
And ABC news host Sam Donaldson, who suffers from melanoma, says the National Institutes of Health needs to double its budget. MNS reporter Melanie Rice reports on the need for more funding for cancer research. With one million new cases every year, researchers say more money could save man and his best friend. While universities and research organizations work to find a cure for skin cancer, it is also important to create public awareness about its dangers. Organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Dermatology have begun skin cancer awareness and prevention campaigns.