American Cancer Society donations down 80% during pandemic

The worldwide battle against COVID-19 has hurt cancer research and much of the money has dried up.

The impact of the coronavirus is very real to researchers and to those who rely on the groundbreaking cancer research that is done here.

It could mean life or death for people everyone knows and loves.

The life-saving work being done at the world renowned Seattle Cancer Care Alliance can be the only lifeline for a desperately ill cancer patient.

“And the first doctor I talked to told me I wouldn’t live a year and I would never sing again,” said Bridgette Hempstead.

Hempstead was diagnosed seven years ago with metastatic breast cancer.

She fired her first doctor and, in a rarity for African Americans, ended up in a clinical trial for breast cancer at SCCA.

That’s why, she says, she’s still alive.

“That’s right,” Hempstead said. “And the treatment I was on was part of a clinical trial and that is now mainstream treatment.”

“I think that there’s no question that has had an impact on cancer research,” said Dr. Nancy Davidson. “It’s had an impact on funding.”

The SCCA president says the lack of funding could delay their life-saving research.

“It’s very worrisome for us because we know that research is really the foundation of what we do,” Dr. Davidson said. “That the research that we’re doing today is the treatments for patients tomorrow.”

“Nobody gets out of this world alive that hasn’t had a brush with cancer at some point,” said Christina Kelly.

The spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society says the organization has suffered an 80% drop in funding during the pandemic. That translates to a 50% cut in research. 

“And I tell you there is no worse feeling to know that cancer patients that rely on you may be disappointed,” Kelly said.

She says even corporate giving is down.

What they are hoping is that people will realize the need and give if they can because the life they save from cancer could very well be their own.

Cox Media Group