American Cancer Society launches ResearcHERS to fund women-led cancer research and inspire future scientists

The American Cancer Society in Illinois announced "ResearcHERS: Women Fighting Cancer," a new initiative that engages women of influence to raise funds that directly support women-led cancer research.

The program spotlights the life experiences and discoveries of women in research and aims to inspire the next generation of girls to pursue their dreams of a career in science.

"One in 3 Americans will battle cancer in their lifetime and we need the best and brightest minds engaged in order to rid the world of this dreaded disease," said Carolyn Bruzdzinski, Ph.D., American Cancer Society Regional Cancer Control vice president. "Recognizing the unique challenges we face, women have expressed a strong interest in supporting scientifically sound women-led cancer research."

ResearcHERS of Illinois is being co-chaired by Cheryle R. Jackson, senior vice president of Global Business Development and president, AAR; and Michelle Le Beau, Ph.D., director of University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center. The co-chairs will be supported by an elite group of 100 Ambassadors committed to raise funds, serve as role models, and build awareness of the contributions of women in the fight against cancer.

"Our goal is to raise $500,000 in our first year," said Dr. Le Beau, who is a member of the American Cancer Society National Board of Directors. "As a former researcher myself, I am thrilled to be carrying the torch of the initial ResearcHERS campaign."

The American Cancer Society is the nation's largest, nongovernmental provider of cancer research funding, with more than $4.8 billion invested since 1946.

Women underrepresented in STEM

Progress is being made for women in science, technology, engineering and math in the U.S., especially in the life sciences; however, significant disparities exist.

According to the National Science Foundation's Science and Engineering Indicators 2018 report, women reached gender parity in biological and medical scientist occupations in 2015, holding 53 percent of jobs. Still, persistent challenges include women remaining in these professions and reaching the highest levels. A lack of adequate support, advancement opportunities, and pay and workload equity are contributing factors.

A study published this week in JAMA found that National Institutes of Health-awarded grants to first-time male awardees were $41,000 higher than first-time female awardees.

Women also represent less than 12 percent of National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center directors.

Illinois ResearcHERS co-chair Dr. Le Beau is one of just eight female directors.

Top supporter of women-led research

Currently, half of the American Cancer Society's grantees are women. It is known for funding researchers at every phase of their career, including two essential times when securing grants can be especially challenging: early in one's career and in support of early research, which can lead to breakthroughs that revolutionize health care and save lives.

American Cancer Society ResearcHERS supports all cancer types and ages. The society has a rigorous peer-review process to fund the most exceptional applications, regardless of cancer type, or gender of the applicant. Once the best research has been identified for funding, ResearcHERS funds will then be applied to women-led grants.

Join the movement

Learn more and nominate an influential woman as a ResearcHERS: Women Fighting Cancer ambassador at www.acsresearchers.org/illinois

To get involved, donate to support women-led cancer research; share the movement and help showcase women in science from the national ACS ResearcHERS social media channels on Facebook and YouTube; and share your story using the hashtags #ACSResearcHERS, #WomenFightingCancer and #CancerResearch.

Ambassadors commit to raising at least $2,500 each to help the American Cancer Society fund female cancer researchers and raising awareness of the ResearcHERS program and purpose, including during May, National Cancer Research Month. The group will convene in Chicago on April 29, along with young women interested in the sciences, for an exclusive panel discussion featuring local researchers.

Companies and organizations also are encouraged to join and grow the movement via corporate sponsorship, matching gifts, and programming partnerships.

Follow your American Cancer Society and ResearcHERS happenings in Illinois at facebook.com/AmericanCancerSocietyIllinois.

To learn more about the cancer research work, visit www.cancer.org/research.