Dear Friends,

Our research at The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, is part of the Masonic Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.  Our discoveries at The Hormel Institute are shared with other scientists, students, professionals, and the community.

The University of Minnesota is home to the first successful bone marrow transplant to treat malignant cancer, is a leader in groundbreaking and life-changing treatments for childhood cancer, and is a powerhouse in research discoveries that have led to important public health policies around cancer prevention. We have a long, proud history; a strong and dedicated team of faculty and providers — and so much more to do.

We are driven to advance cancer care and prevention for all Minnesotans and through state investment we can keep more people healthy and treat those diagnosed with cancer with the most cutting edge therapies!

Through the Minnesota Discovery Research and InnoVation (MnDrive) program, the Medical School and Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, have proposed a statewide cancer clinical trials network based at the University of Minnesota.  The Hormel Institute would be an important part of that network, for the first time in history conducting clinical trials on its growing campus in Austin.

The Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network (MNCCTN) will bring scientific discoveries made at the Masonic Cancer Center, as well as at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center and The Hormel Institute, to all Minnesotans via innovative clinical trials offered in all counties of Minnesota. MNCCTN will address the social and economic barriers prohibiting Minnesotans from participating in clinical research. Through this program, Minnesotans will have more choices and more opportunities for better health.

Please let our state lawmakers know Minnesotans value the University of Minnesota’s efforts to improve statewide access to potentially life-saving prevention and care – email or call to ask them to support the Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network.

Thank you —  together we will make advances to prevent and control cancer for longer, happier, healthier lives.

In friendship,

Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr. P.H.

The Hormel Institute, UMN