Casey DeSantis and Gov. Ron DeSantis announce cancer innovation awards

By Eric Daugherty

Published Feb. 14, 2024, 9:08 a.m. ET | Updated Feb. 14, 2024

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announces cancer innovation award funding, Tallahassee, Fla., Feb. 14, 2024. (Video/DeSantis' office)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis and Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $20 million in awards for cancer innovation programs across the state at a press conference Wednesday.

The first lady noted she empathizes with Floridians facing cancer diagnosis, symptoms and treatment, especially given her own experience with breast cancer.

“What causes [various kinds of cancer], what can we do to communicate [so] they can make the decisions to protect themselves and their families?” she said. “A lot of this is innovation […] Are there barriers to entry? Are there a lot of red tape [and] bureaucracy?”

She said that Floridians should know there is “hope” for those facing cancer, and that the state’s leaders, professionals and innovation organizations are working to help patients identify cancer early and obtain proper treatment.

Also central to the state’s focus on cancer innovation is seen in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2024 budget proposal, which includes over $232 million for cancer research.

“Funding innovation in cancer research and care has been a priority of this administration,” DeSantis said. “Through our historic investments in the treatment of cancer, we are keeping Florida patients and clinicians at the forefront of the mission to fight back against this terrible disease.”

His office noted that the budget includes $60 million for the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, up from the previous $40 million. $127.5 million is included for the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida joined the two.

Casey DeSantis and Ron DeSantis touted the first lady’s Cancer Connect Collaborative, which launched last year focusing on rethinking and reimagining the state’s approach to caring for cancer patients.

“We are now on a path to bringing visibility to [cancer] recurrence rates in Florida,” Ron DeSantis said.

Follow Florida’s Voice and check back at our website for updates.