Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that $30 million in funding from the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator will be distributed to four pediatric cancer hospitals over five years in the state during a speech in Jacksonville this week.
The four hospitals receiving $7.5 million each are:
- Nicklaus Children's Health System of Miami
- Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital of St. Petersburg
- Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville
- Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando
"They had innovative proposals, and they've proposed comprehensive statewide cancer research and care initiatives that have a chance to bear fruit," DeSantis announced.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the awards while speaking at Wolfson Hospital alongside First Lady Casey DeSantis, Florida Surgeon General Joe Ladapo, Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Shevaun Harris, Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville, and Rep. Kiyan Michael (R-Jacksonville).
The governor also highlighted his work in fighting cancer since taking office in 2019, including $1 billion in cancer research and treatment, a 114% increase in funding for cancer programs this year, and $218 million in cancer research through three initiatives to prevent and treat the disease.
"We don't want to be in a situation where a parent would feel like they have to go to a different state to be able to treat their child with cancer. We want to make sure that folks know right here, you know, we've got the best institutions you can have," DeSantis added.
His wife, Casey, founded the Cancer Connect Collaborative in 2023. She was also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021.
"I've had the opportunity to meet a lot of families whose children are battling cancer, and it's really difficult," DeSantis said. "Because I remember when I got my diagnosis, I was just thinking to myself that I was very thankful that it was me and my family, and it wasn't him or my children. I can't imagine what it would be like to have a child who's diagnosed with cancer."
Gov. DeSantis, alongside his wife, also highlighted Florida's cancer fight in September.
"But all we can say is that today, as a result of this investment in great institutions who are doing wonderful things, that there's now more hope than ever before for a lot of parents out there who I know are suffering," DeSantis continued. "But know this, you've got good people who are fighting for you. And if I can stand here today and say that I can beat it, I know very well that there's a lot of people out there that can beat it too."
