The University of Hawai'i Cancer Center (UHCC) has secured a significant affirmation of its research quality and impact on the global combat against cancer with a full five-year designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The coveted recognition places UHCC among the elite top 4% of U.S. cancer centers. According to a statement made by the Office of the Governor, this status marks the highest score UHCC has attained in the past ten years, reflecting its 'outstanding' contributions to oncology.
This NCI designation is more than a mere accolade; it comes coupled with an $11 million cancer center support grant that aims to fuel the UHCC's research efforts for the next five years. UHCC isn't just the only NCI-designated cancer center in Hawai‘i; it serves as a hub for the entire Pacific by actively dealing with and conducting research that tailors to underrepresented communities often beset with stark disparities in cancer-related health outcomes.
Governor Josh Green emphasized the significance of the UHCC's work and the ripple effects of its NCI designation, stating, "This NCI designation not only recognizes the outstanding work that the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center is doing to expand and improve cancer research and patient care for residents of Hawai‘i and the Pacific, but it also enables federal support, including eligibility for vital research grants." He highlighted that the UHCC currently receives over $57 million in annual federal research funding, as per a statement released by the governor's office.
Naoto T. Ueno, director of the UHCC and a two-time cancer survivor, provided perspective on what the designation conveys about the center's mission. "This recognition affirms not only our groundbreaking research into cancer’s causes, prevention and treatments, but also our unique focus on serving underrepresented communities in Hawai‘i and the Pacific, who often face significant disparities in cancer risk, patient care and health outcomes," he stated during the announcement of the NCI designation on October 7, as reported by the governor's office. Ueno firmly believes that this accolade is pivotal for the future operations of Ho‘ōla, an early-phase clinical research center planned for launch at the UHCC in late 2025.
The announcement on October 7 not only brought together the leadership of UHCC but also saw the participation of U.S. Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda. Their presence underscores the significance of the NCI designation as a boost not just for the institution but for the broader health and economic prosperity of the region it serves. It's this intersection of science, health, and community that the UHCC strives to enhance through its research and treatments that target the myriad ways cancer affects diverse populations across Hawai‘i and the Pacific.
