NEW JERSEY – Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Deputy Leader Robert Singer (R-30) and Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) to significantly boost cancer research funding in New Jersey passed the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.
The bill, S-664, marks a major step forward in strengthening New Jersey’s commitment to cancer research and expanding access to care. It increases the annual allocation from state cigarette and tobacco tax revenues to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR) from $1 million to $10 million and establishes a dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund within the Department of the Treasury to protect those funds from being diverted through the annual budget process.
“Cancer is the second leading cause of death in New Jersey, and far too many families are affected each year,” said Singer. “This legislation would make the Garden State a leader in the fight against cancer by making a long-term investment in lifesaving research and directing resources to where they’re needed most.”
Under the bill, the $10 million in dedicated funding will be evenly divided between general cancer research and pediatric cancer research, with a strong focus on reducing racial and ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes. The legislation also supports expanded access to clinical trials and high-quality care in historically underserved communities.
“This legislation is about saving lives,” said Bucco. “As a pediatric cancer survivor, I know firsthand the importance of early detection and research. By securing long-term, reliable funding, we’re giving researchers the tools they need to discover breakthroughs and offer hope to families across our state.”
In the past year alone, cancer claimed the lives of nearly 16,000 New Jersey residents. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated cancer-related disparities due to disrupted care and limited access to clinical trials, reinforcing the need for sustainable research investment.
