National Cancer Institute director joins cancer center for virtual public talk

Ned Sharpless will join Grand Rounds Nov. 30 to speak about President Biden’s goal to end cancer as we know it

(SACRAMENTO)

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Ned Sharpless will join the  UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center for Grand Rounds on November 30, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. The virtual forum is free and open to the public. Sharpless will present “Working Together to End Cancer as We Know It,” reflecting on the five decades of progress since the passage of the National Cancer Act of 1971

Headshot of NCI Director Ned Sharpless
NCI Director Ned Sharpless will speak at the cancer center’s Grand Rounds on Nov. 30.

“I am looking forward to meeting with UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center leaders, staff, patients and students, albeit virtually, sharing how the NCI and the broader cancer research community can deliver on President Biden’s goal to end cancer as we know it,” said Sharpless. 

The National Cancer Act, signed into law by President Nixon in December of 1971, enabled the infrastructure that made possible the current understanding of this family of diseases. 

“It is now time for us to build on that legacy and on that momentum,” said Sharpless. 

“We are grateful for this opportunity to interact with Dr. Sharpless. His presence is a reassuring confirmation of his continued support of our cancer center and our ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of cancer in our catchment area,” said UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Primo “Lucky” Lara, Jr. 

Sharpless is expected to highlight three opportunities for progress, which include: Improving cancer diagnosis, enhancing health equity, and accelerating progress in hard-to-treat cancers. 

We now know how we’re going to end cancer as we know it, when before we did not.”Ned Sharpless, National Cancer Institute Director

“We now know how we’re going to end cancer as we know it, when before we did not,” said Sharpless. “This is the fundamental difference between the state of the science today and as it stood fifty years ago. The National Cancer Act made this understanding possible.” 

Sharpless was sworn in as the 15th director of the NCI in 2017.  Prior to his appointment he served as the director of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina. 

Recently, the NCI renewed the cancer center’s prestigious “comprehensive” designation, meaning UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center continues to be one of the top 51 institutions in the country in oncology research, diagnostics, and treatment. 

Register here to attend Grand Rounds with NCI Director Ned Sharpless.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated center serving the Central Valley and inland Northern California, a region of more than 6 million people. Its specialists provide compassionate, comprehensive care for more than 100,000 adults and children every year and access to more than 200 active clinical trials at any given time. Its innovative research program engages more than 240 scientists at UC Davis who work collaboratively to advance discovery of new tools to diagnose and treat cancer. Patients have access to leading-edge care, including immunotherapy and other targeted treatments. Its Office of Community Outreach and Engagement addresses disparities in cancer outcomes across diverse populations, and the cancer center provides comprehensive education and workforce development programs for the next generation of clinicians and scientists. For more information, visit cancer.ucdavis.edu.