National Cancer Institute Elects David Caldarella as Patient Advocate

Manahawkin, NJ. March 12, 2015 – David Caldarella, founder of David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation, has been elected by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services National Cancer Institute (NCI) to serve on the Head & Neck Steering Committee (HNSC) and the Patient Advocate Steering Committee (PASC) as a Patient Advocate. The HNSC functions to harmonize an efficient, cost effective, science-driven and transparent process that will identify and promote the “Best Science” in clinical research and provide incentives to those who participate.  As a Patient Advocate, David will represent the patient community and have involvement in the research development process, including concept and protocol development.

David was diagnosed with Stage IV Head & Neck Cancer on April 20, 2010. He endured several surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy and a multitude of horrific side-effects during his battle with cancer. David received such tremendous support from family, friends and even strangers which fueled his desire to create a nonprofit to “Pay It Forward!” David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation was recognized as a 501c3 charitable organization on August 20, 2010. “David believes in the dream of providing Hope to those patients and families diagnosed with cancer and being the voice for those that have lost their courageous fight with cancer.” As the driving force behind the Foundation, which has donated in excess of $300,000 to cancer patients in just four years of existence, David has proudly served New Jersey families and is truly humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve at a national level.

The National Cancer Institute was established under the National Cancer Institute Act of 1937 and is the Federal Government’s principal agency for cancer research and training.  NCI leads a national effort to eliminate the suffering and death due to cancer. Through basic and clinical biomedical research and training, NCI conducts and supports research that will lead to a future in which we can prevent cancer before it starts, identify cancers that do develop at the earliest stage, eliminate cancers through innovative treatment interventions, and biologically control those cancers that we cannot eliminate so they become manageable, chronic diseases.  The Head & Neck Steering Committee is composed of leading cancer experts and advocates including NCI Senior Investigators and Doctors from University of Pittsburgh, University of California, University of Toronto, Yale University, Duke University, Ohio State University, Johns Hopkins University and Stanford University among many other prestigious institutions.

CONGRATULATIONS DAVID!