Dr. Peter Bridgman, a retired neurologist battling cancer, is on a determined mission to advocate for the restoration of funding for federal cancer research agencies. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2013, Bridgman, aged 72, has experienced the impact of advanced treatment options provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). However, he is concerned about significant funding cuts that threaten these crucial programs.
Bridgman, a resident of Yarmouth, expressed gratitude for the effective therapies that have sustained his life but worries about the future of cancer research. The NIH and NCI have recently faced proposed funding cuts amounting to billions of dollars. “NIH and the NCI expected small cuts like five or ten percent, but they were completely floored by the 37 percent cut to the NCI,” he stated. “Active research is ongoing, and that might be curtailed. So by the time I need it, it may not be there for me.”
In response to this alarming situation, Bridgman has taken to his neighborhood to gather support. He is going door-to-door, urging residents to sign an online petition advocating for the restoration of NIH and NCI funding to previous levels. “In order to save lives, we have to restore funding to close to what it was before,” he emphasized. “If we let the funding bounce up and down, researchers will go to other countries. They’ll go to the European Union. They’ll go to China, and we’ll lose all of that.”
Bridgman’s efforts have resonated with his community. Neighbor John Auble expressed his support, stating, “Overall, I think cancer is underfunded. So every time we have somebody who is willing to put in the time that he does, it’s really touching. We need more Peters.”
Individuals interested in supporting Bridgman’s cause can learn more about the petition at fightcancer.org. On December 2, 2023, Bridgman, along with members of the American Cancer Society, plans to deliver the collected petition signatures to the office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins in Portland. They will await Congress’s return and hope for a restoration of funding essential for ongoing cancer research.
Bridgman’s grassroots campaign highlights the urgent need for sustained investment in cancer research, a field that is critical for developing future treatment options. His commitment serves as a reminder of the personal stakes involved in funding decisions that affect countless lives.
