[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S3234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE OPENING OF THE UCI-FRED HUTCH CANCER CENTRE

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today I want to congratulate the 
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Uganda Cancer Institute 
for officially opening the UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre in Kampala, the 
first comprehensive cancer center jointly constructed by U.S. and 
African cancer institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  The 25,000-square-foot regional cancer center is a state-of-the-art-
facility that can treat up to 20,000 patients a year and includes an 
adult and pediatric outpatient clinic, a specimen repository, training 
center, conference rooms, and a pharmacy.
  Uganda has a substantial cancer burden, and 6 out of 10 of the most 
common cancers there are caused by infectious diseases. To address this 
unique health need, Uganda has invested in cancer research, training, 
and clinical care. The UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre will significantly 
increase patient access to cancer diagnosis and treatment while 
furthering study of cancers in Uganda, particularly those that are 
infection related.
  This alliance brings together two international leaders in the field 
of oncology care, training, and research and is ideally positioned to 
provide American and Ugandan physician scientists with indepth training 
in the treatment of infection-related malignancies in both the United 
States and Sub-Saharan Africa.
  The relationship between Fred Hutch and the UCI dates back to 2004, 
and the UCI/Hutchinson Center Cancer Alliance was formally established 
in 2008. The program was formed to support the development of a strong 
biomedical infrastructure in Uganda that would contribute to the 
prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer and 
related health concerns.
  In 2008, Uganda had just one oncologist who treated more than 10,000 
patients a year. In response, Fred Hutch spearheaded an extensive 
medical training program that has trained more than 300 Ugandans and 
Americans to date in the treatment of infection-related cancers, 
including physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, data 
specialists, and experts in regulatory affairs and fiscal management. 
Today, the number of practicing oncologists in Uganda has increased 
twelvefold.
  The UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre is funded in part by two grants for 
which I was proud to advocate totaling $1.4 million from the U.S. 
Agency for International Development (through the American Schools and 
Hospitals Abroad Program), as well as an $8.6 million investment from 
Fred Hutch. The Ugandan Government has supported the collaboration 
through donations of land, provision of funding for personnel and 
equipment, and technical support.
  I am proud to work with Fred Hutch in their effort to bring cutting-
edge cancer care to patients and families all around the globe. This 
joint venture with UCI has the potential to drastically improve the 
lives of many people, both in Uganda and worldwide. I am proud that my 
State of Washington is home to Fred Hutch, and I applaud them and the 
Uganda Cancer Institute for their cross-national effort to effect this 
critical change.

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