A call to cure cancer in 1937. What happenged?

Since 1937, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has been the sole government agency dedicated to ending cancer, yet despite its efforts, cancer deaths have quadrupled from 10% to nearly 25% of all U.S. deaths, raising questions about the effectiveness of its approach over the past century.

Contrary to public belief, the NCI employs only 3,500 people, allocates over 60% of its budget to external grants—primarily for academic research—and conducts little to no internal research, while its mission statement omits the word "cure," highlighting its systemic failure.

A critical analysis of the National Cancer Institute's effectiveness since 1938 draws parallels to Kennedy's space program speech to advocate for restructuring the organization with clearer goals and better resource management.

A call to action urging citizens to demand increased government funding and commitment for cancer research by comparing it to the ambitious scale and success of the Apollo space program.

A mere 0.01% of the federal budget is allocated to the National Cancer Institute for research affecting 1.8 million Americans annually, with most grants distributed to universities, pharmaceutical companies, and hospital groups.

Big Pharma, hospital groups, and universities receive NCI grants while simultaneously profiting from cancer treatments and lobbying Congress for more favorable funding and regulations.

After nearly a century of limited progress in curing cancer, the National Cancer Institute's structure is called into question as it employs just 3,500 people (only 2,100 full-time) to distribute over 14,000 grants while conducting minimal direct research.

The NCI's capacity to properly evaluate over 14,000 research grants with just 2,100 full-time employees (many non-researchers) raises questions about institutional effectiveness and whether financial incentives exist to perpetuate research rather than find cures.

Americans are urged to petition the government for a "moon shot" level of commitment to cancer research, challenging the status quo of the NCI and demanding fulfillment of promises to find cures for the millions suffering.