Robert B. Cameron, M.D.
UCLA Medical School

Nicholas J. Vogelzang, M.D.
University of Chicago

M. Ann Abbe
Arlington, Texas

Michael Harbut, M.D., M.P.H.
Royal Oak, MI

Roger G. Worthington, Esq.
Dallas, Texas

Matthew Bergman, Esq.
Seattle, Washington

Susan Vento
St. Paul, Minnesota

Mouzetta Zumwalt-Weathers
Cary, North Carolina

In Memoriam
Congressman Bruce F. Vento

Science Advisory Board

Harvey Pass, M.D., Chairman
Karmanos Cancer Institute

Victor Roggli, M.D.
Duke University

Robert N. Taub, M.D.
Columbia University

Lary A. Robinson, M.D.
H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center

Steve Hahn, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania

Joseph R. Testa, Ph. D.
Fox Chase Cancer Center

Claire Verschraegen, M.D.
University of New Mexico

Eric Vallieres, M.D.
Swedish Cancer Institute

Dan Miller, M.D.
Emory University

Raphael Bueno, M.D.
Harvard/Brigham and Women's

Hedy Lee Kindler, M.D.
University of Chicago

W. Roy Smythe, M.D.
Texas A&M

Executive Director
Christopher E. Hahn

MARF, inc.
1609 Garden Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
tel (805) 560-8942
fax (805) 560-8962
c-hahn@marf.org
http://www.marf.org

Our mission is to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease.

October 20, 2004

The vision of the DoD's CDMRP is to "find and fund the best research to eradicate diseases and support the warfighter for the benefit of the American public." Their mission is to "provide hope by promoting innovative research, recognizing untapped opportunities, creating partnerships, and guarding the public trust."

The following overview of the CDMRP program comes from their website at http://cdmrp.army.mil/default.htp.

Genesis and Overview of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP): The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) originated from a unique partnership among the public, Congress, and the Department of Defense. Grassroots advocacy organizations provided much of the impetus that led to a FY 92 appropriation of $25 million targeted to funding research on the screening and diagnosis of breast cancer among military women and dependents. In response to continuing public requests led by the National Breast Cancer Coalition, Congress appropriated an additional $210 million in FY93. Since that time, the CDMRP has expanded to become second only to the National Cancer Institute as a source of funding for breast cancer research. After noteworthy success in managing the Breast Cancer Research Program, the CDMRP was tasked to manage research programs in defense women's health, osteoporosis, neurofibromatosis, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer, tuberous sclerosis, chronic myelogenous leukemia as well as other specified areas. The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) been entrusted by Congress to manage these special programs. However, The funds for the Congressional Special Interest Medical Programs (CSI) are not in the President's Budget; they are added to the DoD Budget by Congress.

Historical Overview:

As detailed on their website (https://mrmc.detrick.army.mil/), the USAMRMC is frequently directed by Congress to manage funding of research programs with specific goals and end-points for health related issues relevant to military personnel, military dependents, veterans, and the health of the American public. These research programs ("Special Programs") are generally concerned with topics relating to health-care delivery; to detection, diagnosis, control or eradication of specified diseases, conditions, or syndromes; or to other initiatives relevant to health needs. Funding of these areas is dependent upon Congressional direction and availability of funds. Guidance on the specific submission and evaluation process is attached but may also be found at: http://www.usamraa.army.mil/pages/baa_paa/BAA_04-1_Rev.pdf ).