Florida invests millions in pediatric cancer research through Cancer Connect Collaborative

TAMPA - Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state will invest millions of dollars in pediatric cancer research over the next five years through the Cancer Connect Collaborative during a press conference in Tampa on Wednesday. 

The backstory:

DeSantis explained that since 2019 the state of Florida has invested more than $1 billion in cancer research and treatment. 

This year alone, Florida has committed $118M to cancer research through three different initiatives to prevent, detect and treat cancer. 

About a decade ago, the Florida legislature established the Florida Consortium of National Cancer Institute’s Centers program. In 2022, it was renamed for First Lady Casey DeSantis, who is a breast cancer survivor. 

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This program was fully funded in 2025 at $127.5 million.

Dig deeper:

That program directs funds to Florida’s four hospitals that have NCI-designations, including Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, UF Shands in Gainesville and Sylvester Cancer Center in Miami. 

"We are also proud of the Cancer Connect Collaborative, which was established by the first lady. This is a national model focused on accelerating research, sharing best practices and turning data into action," the governor explained. "Florida’s Cancer Connect Collaborative is designed to break down barriers that slow progress in the fight against cancer."

It is based on five pillars — data, best practices, innovation, honesty and funding. 

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Through the Cancer Collaborative, the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator was created and is funded at $30M. 

The incubator will focus on areas of practice that are often underserved, like pediatric cancer treatment, which is 1% of all cancer cases. 

Every five years, the Collaborative identifies a specific area of focus to specialize in and the focus during this five-year term will be pediatric cancer. 

What they're saying:

"This means Florida will make a major targeted investment in pediatric cancer research at Florida’s four children’s specialty children’s hospitals, Wolfson, Johns Hopkins, Nemours and Nicklaus," DeSantis explained. "They are all eligible for multi-year grants. They’re going to be able to expand clinical trials, improve treatment protocols and advance real-world cures. We want to make sure we are not just funding projects but achieving outcomes."

On Wednesday, which was World Cancer Research Day, DeSantis announced the third-year funding opportunity of the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, which will make $60 million available to fund high-impact research, with a focus on nutrition practices for cancer prevention or treatment.

"I was proud to announce that applications are opening this week for the next round of cancer research projects through the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "These competitive grants are open to a wide range of institutions and researchers, with a focus on preventative nutrition as well as emerging medical treatment options for cancer patients. Investing in innovation today means saving lives tomorrow—and that’s why we will continue working to make Florida a beacon of hope in cancer research."

In the first year of the initiative, support was provided to 30 researchers with $20 million. That investment was tripled in the second year, funding 65 researchers with $60 million.

"As we recognize World Cancer Research Day, Florida also celebrates the third year of continuing its commitment to cancer research, dedicating $60 million toward an approach which focuses on quick results and measurable outcomes for Florida’s patients," said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo. "Through the steadfast leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis, Florida has built a strong foundation for cancer research. The Cancer Innovation Fund represents Florida’s continuous dedication to advancing cutting-edge cancer research that will benefit Floridians and serve as a model for innovation nationwide."

During the press conference, the first lady and Florida’s Surgeon General Dr. Joe Ladapo stressed the importance of nutrition and exercise when it comes to preventing cancer. 

DeSantis says about 40% of cancer cases are preventable through lifestyle changes, including nutrition. 

As of 2022, he said there were more than 18 million cancer survivors in the United States and that number is expected to grow to 26 million in the next 15 years. 

"We're at war with cancer," Casey DeSantis said. "We should all be in it together."

One of the main goals of the $60 million in funding for the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund is to focus on how diet relates to cancer prevention.

"This cycle's applications will focus on research related to preventative nutrition as well as emerging medical treatment options for cancer patients," Gov. DeSantis said.

The First Lady has championed cancer research, treatment and prevention since her own battle with cancer.

"One is nutrition and health," Casey DeSantis said. "To really try to prioritize and incentivize grants and funding for prevention."

Vaccines & Tylenol/autism

The Governor and Surgeon General were also asked about the recent proposal to roll back vaccine requirements for children in school and a push to stop the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

"People should not be forced to put things into their body by government," Ladapo said. "I mean, government has important roles, lots of important roles. But that line ends when it comes to what you put in your body and what you've put in children's body."

Ladapo said he didn't think there would be a concern about insurance companies ending coverage of vaccines, while pointing to coverage for other treatments and medications.

"I've heard people, 'Oh, well, how are anyone going to be able to survive if there's no mandates?' You do it by just, basically taking care of your family as you see fit and as physicians."

The state's top leaders were also asked about the Trump administrations recent release of a controversial report, linking autism, in some cases, with the use of Tylenol, or acetaminophen, by pregnant women.

"Not all the studies find that, but some of the studies do find that and some of those studies are very good," Ladapo said. "So, I think that their recommendation is the right place to be in terms of discouraging its use."

Ladapo said the data and studies are "messy", saying they're not a total explanation for autism, but that some studies show a relationship between the two.

"The FDA has stated that these decisions should be made with the physician and the pregnant woman," Ladapo said. "But you know, so, there is allowance for use of it because fever in pregnant women is also dangerous. But it does seem that almost certainly there are opportunities where the medication doesn't need to be used and could be avoided."

Ladapo says he's still looking at the data, but said his guidance would likely be in line with FDA guidance.