‘Not giving up’: SD philanthropy fights to fill federal funding cuts to cancer research

In a laboratory somewhere in San Diego, an emerging scientist wonders if this will be the last year they can afford to search for a cure.

This is the new reality of cancer research in America, where a $1.8 billion federal funding cut across the National Institutes of Health has transformed San Diego County nonprofits and private donors into lifelines. 

“I just talked to someone who is likely going to have to close their lab,” said Dr. Ezra Cohen, chief science advisor at Curebound, a San Diego-based nonprofit that fundraises for cancer research. “He’s already had to lay off two of his postdoctoral fellows. These funding cuts are hitting home.” 

Amid these challenges, 23 San Diego County researchers received long-awaited calls this month confirming new funding from Curebound. The nonprofit awarded $8.5 million in grants to advance promising cancer research programs across research pillars such as cancer risk detection, immunotherapy and childhood cancers. 

Curebound’s mission — cures in our lifetime — has taken on desperate urgency as federal support evaporates. The NIH cuts to cancer research funding affect roughly 700 grants nationwide, according to Cohen.

Cohen noted the irony of cuts because NIH-funded research generates a 20- to 30-fold return on investment, with 99% of FDA-approved drugs over the past two decades originating from NIH projects, either wholly or partially.

“The U.S. biotech industry represents about 69 billion to the GDP,” Cohen said. “Cutting the NIH budget is really just shooting ourselves in the foot in terms of the economy, but more importantly, all the discoveries that stem from these funded projects. The impact is going to be felt for years to come.” 

Dr. Erica Ollmann Saphire, president and chief executive officer of La Jolla Institute for Immunology, said her institution has been forced to make difficult choices.

“We might be scaling back and doing fewer experiments or smaller experiments,” Ollmann Saphire said. “We’ve had to be really scrappy to figure out how to keep discovery going because cancer doesn’t care if there’s been a change in federal policy.”

The funding crisis comes at a particularly critical time. Cancer remains a leading cause of death in the United States and 40% of people diagnosed with cancer face financial insecurity, according to Dr. Diane Simeone, director of UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. 

“When someone gets a diagnosis of cancer, your world gets turned upside down almost instantaneously,” Simeone said. “We don’t want to cut off critical resources for people in our country and limit their options. We really have to work together and be creative to get us where we need to be to restore some of these resources.” 

Since its formation in 2021, Curebound has raised approximately $51.5 million for cancer research. The organization’s Elton John concert at Petco Park last summer brought in $11.5 million, making it the highest-grossing event for cancer research in San Diego’s history. The nonprofit funds research at six San Diego institutions: UC San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center, Rady Children’s Hospital, Salk Institute, Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Scripps Research.

“We really felt there was a community here that was special, that could produce changes in cancer care that would affect the entire world, and it could start here in San Diego,” Cohen said.

Collaboration differentiates the Curebound model. Nearly all grants require recipients to work with at least one other institution. 

“The feeling is always, how can we work together? How can we help each other?” Cohen said. 

The results are evident: one researcher converted a $250,000 Curebound grant into a $4.5 million NIH award after using pilot funding to develop a system that improves pediatric oncology clinical trial enrollment. Cohen also described treating an 18-year-old sarcoma patient with a personalized neoantigen vaccine funded by Curebound. Four years later, the patient remains cancer-free, defying an 80-90% recurrence rate. 

“It’s an incredible feeling that you’re able to make this unbelievable impact in someone’s life,” Cohen said. 

Federal cuts have particularly affected social equity research. After the administration’s criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, grants studying cancer etiology based on race or social demographics were significantly reduced. Curebound responded by creating a dedicated equity grant, funding $1 million this year and last. 

Ollmann Saphire emphasized how Curebound’s local contribution distinguishes it from other funding sources.

“The people who give to Curebound can go and meet that scientist,” she said. “Maybe their own kid can get a summer job in that lab. I would love for San Diegans to visit LJI and see those Curebound dollars in action. Visitors can look down the microscopes with us, see the discoveries and the beauty of possibility unfolding right in front of them.” 

Simeone voiced concern about sustaining momentum, noting the critical importance of investment in early detection and prevention to catch cancer when it’s curable.

“We just had a scientific retreat with over 300 people. Very talented young faculty doing such important cutting-edge work,” Simeone said. “While I sat there amazed, I also worried: are these brilliant minds going to be able to do the work next year?”

While cautioning that philanthropy alone cannot make up for federal cuts, Simeone expressed hope that Congress will restore funding.

“It isn’t a partisan issue,” she said. “None of our families are immune to getting cancer.” 

Cohen said he draws hope from the people driving the research — the investigators, the patients and the biotech industry. 

“We’re not giving up. In fact, we’re just going to work harder,” he said.