First Lady Biden Virtually Visits NCI

Image

NCI director Dr. Ned Sharpless welcomed the First Lady to NCI.

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden recently virtually visited the National Cancer Institute to learn about advances in cancer research. 

“There is one challenge that unites us all, one thread of pain that runs through every community, North and South, rich and poor, in the best of times, the depth of this pandemic and that’s cancer,” said Biden on Feb. 3, the day before World Cancer Day.  

NIH director Dr. Francis Collins and NCI director Dr. Ned Sharpless welcomed the First Lady. During her visit, three scientists from NCI told Biden about recent advances in cancer research. She thanked NCI staff for their contributions to cancer research. 

“Cancer touches us all and because of that your work touches us all,” she said. 

The theme for this year’s World Cancer Day is “I Am and I Will” with a subtheme of “Together, all of our actions matter.”

View the recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUSUi2wBtUE&feature=youtu.be.

Image

Dr. Jill Biden spoke with several experts in cancer research including (from l) Sharpless, Dr. Worta McCaskill-Stevens of NCI Community Oncology Research Program; Dr. Stephanie Goff of the Center for Cancer Research’s Surgery Branch and Dr. Ligia Pinto of NCI’s Vaccine, Immunity and Cancer Program.