There is a common saying among colleagues in the cancer research enterprise: “once you’ve seen one cancer center, you’ve seen one cancer center.” While it is easy to laugh and nod in agreement, as communicators we know that the premise of this phrase captures the essence of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) mission and goals. Reaching President Biden’s goal to cut the cancer death rate in half over the next 25 years will take everyone in our varied and diverse community working together.
That diversity benefits patients, who are central to our efforts. But communicating the importance of our differences isn’t always easy. Some days it might feel easier if we all had the same playbook. While that playbook does not exist, what you do have is the support of NCI, including the NCI Resources & Toolkit and tailored insights we provide.
The NCI Office of Communications and Public Liaison engages the professional community, academic institutions, cancer researchers, thought leaders, practitioners, and other government agencies to widely disseminate up-to-date information about NCI research, news, and programs. We coordinate, manage, and share guidance on targeted messaging and activities for the cancer research community. We also serve as a liaison to NCI leadership, providing insight on key issues and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
The President has made fighting cancer a priority, and he has pointed to our collective progress and success as proof that we can achieve great things.
Our collaboration strengthens our voices to end cancer as we know it, for all. I am both humbled and honored to continue serving as a resource to you and your remarkable efforts.
Michelle White, MPH
Public Affairs Specialist
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Cancer Institute
michelle.white2@nih.gov