Moffitt Day in Tallahassee: State Support Critical to Cancer Research
By bus, bike, plane and car - Moffitt champions will converge for Moffitt Day in Tallahassee this week to seek state support for its mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.
In its 14th year, the annual day of advocacy brings Moffitt patients, caregivers, physicians, researchers and staff to Tallahassee to meet with lawmakers and remind them of the need for continued state support of Florida’s premier cancer center.
President and CEO Dr. Alan List will lead the charge in asking lawmakers to continue their partnership with Moffitt in the fight against cancer. “Moffitt’s approach to cancer care has always been team-oriented, with everyone working together to provide the best treatment plans and outcomes for our patients,” said List. “We consider our elected officials as part of that extended team. And we are asking for their continued support to help Moffitt make the lasting scientific advances that are important to the millions of Floridians battling cancer.”
Leaders from Moffitt, along with the help of a community of advocates, plan to educate lawmakers on the growing needs of the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida. Moffitt has seen a 30 percent increase in patient volumes in the past five years, creating demand for more clinical care areas. The institution is also running out of the lab space as it recruits more of the country’s top cancer researchers.
Joshua Rivera, Manager of Revenue Cycle Systems at Moffitt, will be among more than 30 bicyclists riding four days and over 325 miles from Tampa to Tallahassee for the 2019 Cure on Wheels Capital Ride. “This is my sixth ride, and I still get emotional pulling up to the Capitol steps,” said Rivera. Diagnosed with a form of Ewing sarcoma at age 27, Rivera credits Moffitt’s commitment to clinical research for saving his life.
