The University of Kansas is celebrating its designation as a National Cancer Institute. The official announcement, which came earlier today (THUR), means the KU Cancer Center will be eligible for more federal research funding and treatment trials. On the floor of the U.S. Senate, Kansas Senator Pat Roberts said the NCI designation will provide economic growth and more treatment options for Kansans.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, KU officials and a number of state lawmakers were on hand for the announcement. KU had been pursuing an NCI designation for nearly a decade.