Cancer , heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death among the elderly. Other diseases, such as Alzheimer's and osteoporosis are, at the very least, disabling, and all are very costly to society. But instead of pointing fingers and lamenting costs, we as a nation need to focus our energy on ensuring that medical research is funded at a level to match scientific opportunity. However, currently the federal government funds only about one in four medical research proposals that might lead to preventing, treating and curing the diseases that plague our generation now, as well as future generations. It is time for all of us, young and old, to unite as advocates for medical research.
Medical research has the power of favorable public opinion.
Last year, polls were conducted in five states, and 60 percent or more of those polled favoreddoubling funding for medical research. In addition, The Wall Street Journal and NBC-TV conducted a national poll and found similar results, with 64 percent nationwide favoring doubling funding for medical research. More than half also indicate that they would consider donating a portion of their income tax refund to medical research if they are given the opportunity. We can make advocacy for medical and health research our gift to our children and grandchildren. The fund would allow for the largest funding increase in history for the National Institutes of Health.