International Atomic Energy Agency and National Foundation for Cancer Research Launch Major Initiative to Improve Cancer Prevention and Treatments In Developing Countries
(Vienna, Austria and Bethesda, MD) – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) announced today that the two organizations have joined forces to establish the PACT Fund at NFCR. This special fund will support the IAEA’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) in America for developing countries.
PACT was created within the IAEA in 2004 to build on the Agency’s experience in radiation medicine and technology, with a mission of enabling developing countries to introduce, expand or improve their cancer care capacity and services in a sustainable manner. PACT does this by integrating radiotherapy into a comprehensive cancer control program that maximizes therapeutic effectiveness and impact. PACT integrates and aligns cancer prevention, screening and early detection, treatment and palliative care activities. Based on the Guidelines of the World Health Organization, PACT also addresses other challenges, such as long term support for the continuing education and training of cancer care professionals in developing countries.
IAEA was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for its efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in the safest possible way. One such use is radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer.
Based in Bethesda, Maryland, NFCR, an American not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1973 to support cancer research relating to the prevention, early diagnosis, better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for cancer. NFCR promotes and facilitates collaboration among scientists to accelerate the pace of discovery from bench to bedside and patient access to effective therapies. NFCR is renowned for its visionary funding of cutting-edge research that has led to important breakthroughs in cancer treatments.
"Our partnership with the National Foundation for Cancer Research will expand the capacity of the IAEA's Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy to help developing countries respond effectively to the looming cancer crisis,” said Dr. Massoud Samiei, Head of the PACT Programme Office. “We welcome the PACT Fund at NFCR and the opportunity it provides for Americans to support our efforts to save millions of lives and reduce the suffering of millions more."
“We are honored to have been chosen by the IAEA as a partner in this global effort,” said Franklin C. Salisbury, Jr., President and CEO of NFCR. “NFCR is wholeheartedly committed to supporting and expanding the IAEA’s efforts to create effective cancer treatment and prevention strategies in developing countries. In Africa alone, just to take one example, millions of lives are needlessly lost to cancer. The PACT Fund will allow Americans to join with NFCR and the IAEA in taking steps to end this tragic loss.”
On October 29, 2007, the IAEA and NFCR will host a reception at the United Nations in New York City to celebrate the launch of the PACT Fund at NFCR.
For more information, please visit www.NFCR.org or call (301) 654-1250, ext. 105. Please follow the link to find additional information about the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy. http://www-naweb.iaea.org/pact/index.asp.
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Media Contact Information:
National Foundation for Cancer Research
Silas Deane, Vice President, Communications
Phone: (301) 654-1250
Cell: (615) 319-6007
E-mail: sdeane@nfcr.org
Suzanne Schneider
PACT Programme Office
Phone: +43-1-2600 26784
E-mail: SU.SCHNEIDER@iaea.org