AR SCR5

Arkansas General Assembly continues to encourage the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS to pursue National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation, with an application goal of fall 2025

An estimated 19,700 Arkansans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025, and Arkansas has the 5th highest cancer death rate nationally, with cancer-related deaths increasing 9% over 28 years while declining 5% nationwide

Arkansas is one of only three states (along with Mississippi and Louisiana) without an NCI-Designated Cancer Center, forcing patients to leave the state for specialized treatment and clinical trials

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders dedicated $100 million during the 94th General Assembly to support the pursuit of NCI designation and improve cancer detection and prevention statewide

NCI designation would bring an estimated $70 million annually to Arkansas's economy, create 1,584 new jobs over 5 years, and expand access to research grants (over 60% of NCI grants require designation to apply)