By The Prebys Foundation / June 22, 2025
What happens in Washington doesn’t stay there. It reaches all the way into San Diego’s labs, hospitals, and classrooms.
Proposed federal cuts to medical research threaten the life-changing work happening right here at home. From childhood cancer breakthroughs to ensuring diverse voices shape the future of medicine, local researchers are at risk of losing the support they need to keep pushing science forward.
To explore these impacts, the Prebys Foundation and the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network are hosting a public forum on “This Affects All of Us: The Real Impact of Cutting Medical Research Dollars” on Thursday, June 26, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Boulevard.
At this event, local scientists and advocates will step up to explain what these cuts really mean for families and about what San Diegans can do together.
Featured speakers and their areas of expertise include:
Dr. Mike Taffe, UC San Diego – Racial equity in research funding
Dr. Matthew Bainbridge, Rady Children’s Hospital – Pediatric research & innovation
Dr. Arun Sethuraman, San Diego State University – STEM education at risk
Dr. Svasti Haricharan, San Diego State University – Cancer research & clinical trials
Karen McDonald, Patient Advocate – Patient story of survival through science
Dr. Thomas Neuman, UC San Diego?—?Retired oncologist and advocate
After the panel, there will be a discussion of simple, meaningful ways to take action.
Space is limited. Seats can be reserved through Eventbrite.
What they are cutting is the administrative fee for the programs. If a private individual, or a company, or a foundation, etc., gives a grant to a college, the administrative fee is 10 to 15%. The government however, gives 35 to 50% above and beyond what other groups give. This is just to level the playing field.