Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston will receive $8 million for the construction of a new research facility at the Hollings Cancer Center. “The MUSC Hollings Cancer Center is a leader in cancer research,” said Graham. “The work they do is on the cutting edge of cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. The new research facility will allow the Center to better serve our state and help many of our citizens battling cancer.” Graham secured the funding in the Fiscal Year 2006 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill which has already been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The legislation is scheduled to come before the full Senate in the next few weeks. “We at the Medical University of South Carolina thank Senator Graham for his interest in and support of cancer research,” said Dr. Ray Greenberg, President of the Medical University of South Carolina. “These funds will be dedicated toward the construction of a building that will house research on the causes of cancer, with a special focus on genetic risk factors. Former Senator Hollings helped the Medical University establish a cancer center, and now Senator Graham is continuing to advance the effort to build a center of excellence that will serve all the citizens of the State and play a leadership role nationally.” The new research facility is a key part of MUSC’s goal of being designated a National Cancer Institute by the National Institute of Health. This designation would increase the resources available to the Hollings Cancer Center to conduct research and prevention programs in South Carolina. It would also increase the state’s access to clinical trials for newly developed cancer fighting drugs. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in South Carolina, claiming the lives of nearly 8,000 citizens each year. More than 17,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed in South Carolina annually, and one in two males and one in three females will develop cancer at some time in their lives. ####