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$300M To Boost FL NCI Center Push

Florida ranks second in the nation for incidence and deaths from cancer, but it lags behind in National Cancer Institute grant funding, according to the American Cancer Society.

That could soon change if Gov. Rick Scott approves a $300 million infusion in state money to help the University of Miami and University of Florida cancer centers earn National Cancer Institute designations, the Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureaureports. Scott lobbied for the bill, but it still awaits his signature.

Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Center - currently the only NCI-designated cancer center in the state - would receive the largest share of the money so that it can continue to grow and improve, the Times/Herald reports.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.