Promising we will win the fight against cancer, President Bush unveiled plans to increase cancer research funding by $629 million in his 2003 budget on Wednesday.
That would bring the total for cancer spending to $5 billion.
Cancer survivors including Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong joined the president at the White House.
Bush also noted the five-year survival rate is up 60 percent.
That encouragement coupled with increased funding is good news for the Marshfield Clinic, which is also at the forefront of cancer research.
"I think the important message to take home, we are making progress. The war has not been won but it is a battle we are continuing to fight and we are making progress. Extra funding from the federal government will be a plus," said Dr. Richard Mercier with the Marshfield Clinic.
