The proposition authorizes issuance of $3 billion over a 10-year period for research in Texas to find the causes of and cures for cancer.
“I’m feeling pretty bullish that right here in Temple, Texas, we’ll make a contribution to curing, or make a discovery in the treatment of cancer,” said Rep. Dianne White Delisi, R-Temple. “Dr. Arthur Frankel (director of Scott & White Cancer Research Institute) appears to be limitless in his energy.”
In Bell County, 9,567 votes were cast in the Proposition 15 election - 6,230 for, 3,630 against.
In addition to the humanitarian aspect of participating in the effort to find a cure for cancer, the initiative will provide an economic boost.
“Not only will there be a direct impact on Scott & White Research Center, the Texas A&M University College of Medicine and the growing bioscience industry through increased research dollars and new jobs, there also will be a positive indirect impact on the area,” said Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay.
The funds provided in the proposition, Rep. Delisi said, will be highly sought after by some of the larger research facilities in the state, like M.D. Anderson in Houston and Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
However, Frankel has carved out a unique niche, Rep. Delisi said, with his research efforts using pharmaceuticals in cancer treatments and moving those findings from bench to bedside quickly.
“I’m hoping that will catch the attention of the governing board that will be determining who gets the grants,” she said.
Those making the decision on who will receive funds from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas cannot have any ties to recipients of the grants.
It will be set up similar to the National Institute of Health, Rep. Delisi said.
“There will be very specific criteria that everyone will understand and it will not be political,” she said.
Temple has an infrastructure in place for cancer research with the capabilities to expand, thanks to the $7.5 million grant the Scott & White Cancer Research Institute received Friday from the Texas Enterprise Fund.
“I think we’re well positioned,” Rep. Delisi said.
There are additional benefits to growth in the research sector, Rep. Delisi said.
“It’s going to affect our public school system,” she said. “That will be good.”
Generally, researchers would be interested in education and it may mean new teachers coming into the school district, she said.
“I see it wafting over the community in many good ways,” Rep. Delisi said.
jgibbs@temple-telegram.com
