Dr. Peter Bridgman, a retired neurologist and cancer patient, is actively campaigning to restore funding for vital cancer research. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2013, Bridgman is determined to ensure that federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) receive the financial support they need to continue their groundbreaking work.
At 72 years old, Bridgman is thankful for the infusion therapies that have kept him alive. However, he is deeply concerned about the potential impact of significant funding cuts on future research. Reports indicate that the NCI is facing cuts of up to 37 percent, a situation that has left many researchers and patients apprehensive about the future of cancer treatment options.
“NIH and the NCI expected small cuts like five or ten percent, but they were completely floored by the 37 percent cut to the NCI,” Bridgman stated. He fears that the ongoing research, crucial for developing advanced cancer treatments, might be severely curtailed, potentially jeopardizing his access to necessary therapies when he needs them most.
To address this critical issue, Bridgman has taken to the streets of Yarmouth. He is going door-to-door, requesting that his neighbors sign an online petition advocating for the restoration of funding to previous levels. “In order to save lives, we have to restore funding to close to what it was before,” he explained. “If we let the funding bounce up and down, researchers will go to other countries. They’ll go to the European Union. They’ll go to China, and we’ll lose all of that.”
Bridgman’s neighbor, John Auble, expressed his support for the initiative. “Overall, I think cancer is underfunded. So every time we have somebody who is willing to put in the time that he does, it’s really touching. We need more Peters,” Auble remarked after signing the petition.
The petition drive is not just about numbers; it represents a community’s commitment to fighting cancer. Individuals interested in supporting Bridgman’s cause can find more information at fightcancer.org.
On December 2, 2023, Bridgman, along with representatives from the American Cancer Society, will deliver the collected signatures to the office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins in Portland. They will then await Congress’s return to session, hoping for a restoration of research funding.
As cancer remains a pressing health issue, Bridgman’s efforts highlight the importance of sustained investment in research that could lead to breakthroughs in treatment. His passionate advocacy serves as a reminder of the human impact behind the statistics and funding debates, emphasizing the urgent need to protect and enhance cancer research programs.