Moffitt Cancer Center, Commissioner Adam H. Putnam Announce Partnership to Promote Healthy Living, Reduce Cancer Risk

February 17, 2015

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Moffitt Cancer Center President & CEO Alan F. List, M.D. and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced a new partnership today that encourages Florida-based solutions to prevent cancer and empowers Floridians to live stronger, healthier lives. Created by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “Living Healthy in Florida” provides simple tools to promote healthy living and cancer prevention.

“This new partnership underscores the impact cancer has on Floridians. Cancer is the leading cause of death in our state, and Florida ranks No. 2 in the United States for cancer incidence and mortality,” said Dr. List. “It is important for Moffitt and our state legislators to work together to find new ways to prevent and stand up to cancer in our local communities.”

Today’s announcement was part of the 10^thAnnual Moffitt Day, which brings more than 80 volunteers, including patients, cancer survivors, caregivers, physicians and researchers to the state Capitol. Advocates meet with lawmakers to share Moffitt’s mission to eradicate cancer and ask for continued state support for Moffitt, Florida’s premier cancer center.

“Our partnership with Moffitt will take the ‘Living Healthy in Florida’ initiative to a new level, highlighting the center’s expertise on cancer prevention and treatment to further educate Floridians about the importance of making healthy choices,” Commissioner Adam H. Putnam said. “Together, with partners like Moffitt, we can create healthier communities and reduce long-term healthcare costs associated with chronic disease.”

Moffitt is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida. The cancer center’s survivorship rates beat the national average in brain, breast, liver, lung, myeloma, pancreas and prostate cancers, giving Floridians their best chance for beating cancer. Moffitt is also committed to training the next generation of Florida-trained physicians, scientists and health care professionals. Moffitt educates more students in the field of oncology than all other Florida institutions combined.

About Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Moffitt is one of only 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in research, its contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt is the top-ranked cancer hospital in the Southeast and has been listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Best Hospitals” for cancer care since 1999. With more than 4,500 employees, Moffitt has an economic impact in Florida of nearly $1.6 billion. For more information, visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the Moffitt momentum on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About “Living Healthy in Florida”
Spearheaded by Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the “Living Healthy in Florida” initiative combines the resources of elected officials, state agencies, nonprofits and the private sector to communicate consistent information to Florida’s children, families and seniors on healthy eating, good nutrition and active living. Key to this collective effort is the Roadmap to Living Healthy, a mapping system that uses data to illustrate assets and gaps in health and nutrition services so that resources can be more effectively allocated and accessed.

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