October 8, 2025
My WHY: New Report Highlights the Personal Impact of NIH Research
WASHINGTON, DC, October 8 – In the face of unprecedented actions affecting NIH research funding, United for Medical Research asked patients, researchers and others touched by medical research to share why a strongly funded National Institutes of Health is important to them. Their personal and powerful accounts are captured in a new report released today, My WHY: Many Voices. Many Reasons.
“We are tremendously grateful to the individuals who shared their stories with us and their passion for improving lives,” said UMR President Caitlin Leach. “We are also fortunate to have House and Senate appropriation leaders who share that same passion and recognize the power of medical research to change lives. We hope these stories will support their effort to ensure that the NIH is strongly funded, and that its critical work continues. American lives and America’s leadership depend on it.”
Whether it’s saving lives and providing hope for future cures, launching careers and training the next generation of scientists, or supporting local communities and driving the innovation that fuels critical U.S. industries, the My WHY stories illustrate the enormous ripple effect that NIH research has on society. They also reveal the direct, personal impact that NIH research has on countless individuals, including those below.
“Because of the NIH, I am cancer-free, and my children are growing up with their mother in their lives. My job is supported by NIH, but my life was saved by it.” Nicki Swann, Eugene, OR
“NIH funding has profoundly influenced my career. It was a key factor in my decision to pursue science in the United States.” Ken Lau, Nashville, TN
“NIH funding has been a key part of every early-stage company I have worked in. Without this funding we would not have survived.” Ian Walton, Redwood City, CA
“I grew up in rural West Virginia and was a first-generation college student. NIH funding of academic research was a key enabler of my lifelong career in the life sciences.” Shawn Austin, Avon, OH
“As a graduate student, I studied a potential chemotherapeutic that targeted cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) to arrest the cell cycle. Part of my thesis focused on CDK6. Fast forward 25 years and I am now a breast cancer patient and survivor, with a much better chance of survival thanks to a new treatment called Verzenio, which is a compound that inhibits CDK4 and CDK6.” Erin Cram, Somerville, MA
“As a mom, my research is directly important to people like me looking to raise healthy kids.” Natalie Johnson, College Station, TX
The report highlights just some of the dozens of stories received from individuals across the United States. To see all of the stories, please visit: www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/my-why.
“Funding for medical research provides exponential returns and is one of the very best investments our country can make. We urge Congress to act this fall to pass a Fiscal Year 2026 funding bill that prioritizes medical research and ensures this critical investment in America’s future continues,” Leach said.
UMR is a coalition of leading research institutions, patient and health advocates and private industry seeking strong and sustainable increases in funding for the National Institutes of Health in order to save and improve lives, advance innovation and fuel the economy. Learn more at unitedformedicalresearch.org.