FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Cancer?
Cancer is personal. This terrible disease has touched our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. In 2020, it was estimated that 606,520 people died, which is more than 1,660 per day. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S., accounting for nearly 1 of every 6 deaths.
Who does Cancer affect?
Cancer does not discriminate; it will affect 1 in 3 people. An estimated 1,806,590 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2020.
What is the most frequently diagnosed type of Cancer?
Women – 30% of all cancers diagnosed is breast cancer.
Men – 13.1% of all cancers diagnosed is prostate cancer.
What are the Survival Rates?
The five-year survival rate for all cancers is now 61% compared to 41% in 1977. While the survival rates are going up, there is still a long way to go. That’s why we, at The H Foundation, are committed to energizing science to find a cure.
What is Basic Science Cancer Research?
Basic science cancer research explores fundamental functions of the human body at the molecular level. Scientists investigate how cells cancer grow, die and become immortal. Thus, stopping cancer before it starts or has a chance to grow.
Why Basic Science Cancer Research?
We believe that finding a cure for cancer starts from the ground up. Since basic cancer research explores fundamental functions of the human body at the molecular level, this is a great place to start. Basic Science is also the most significantly underfunded aspect of the research continuum. Scientists and researchers need this critical funding to explore innovative ideas that will result in breakthrough discoveries.
Where do the funds go and how are they used?
All proceeds go directly to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University to support Basic Cancer Science Research. Contributions raised by The H Foundation allow scientists to come up with ideas to compete for larger grants. Each year, the seed money we provide grows into millions of dollars of private and government funding, multiplying your contribution exponentially in the fight to find a cure. To date, we have raised over $13 million which has been leveraged into over $280 million in additional research funding!