Gov. DeSantis is running out of reasons for press conferences. He has moved into repeat mode, hoping no one will notice. However, both of these pressers were held in Jacksonville, with only a slight twist.
November 3
Today, Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced Florida awards $30 million in grant funding to four specialty children’s hospitals in Florida to develop and improve access to clinical trials, advance treatment protocols, and discover cures for childhood cancer. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Nemour’s Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, and Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville were each awarded $7.5 million.
- “Since I became governor, Florida has invested more than $1 billion in cancer research and treatment–a 114% increase. We created the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator program within the Florida Department of Health this year to enhance cancer research throughout Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Four of Florida’s top children’s hospitals have received a total of $30 million in funding for their innovative proposals to help children and adolescents who are fighting cancer. By investing in statewide infrastructure for pediatric cancer initiatives, we aim to eliminate the need for Florida families to travel out of state for potentially life-saving experimental therapies and specialized care.”
The Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator was created in 2025 to further Florida efforts as a leader in cancer research and treatment. The Incubator is funded with $30 million and will focus on pediatric cancer in its first five-year funding cycle.
“Research Incubator investments to advance research, prevention, and treatment for pediatric cancer represents a meaningful step forward in our mission to improve outcomes, strengthen families, and ensure that every child has access to the most advanced care possible right here in Florida,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “I’m deeply grateful to Governor DeSantis for his unwavering leadership and commitment to advancing cancer research in Florida.”
July 23
Sound Familiar?
On July 23, Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced Florida’s continued investment in cancer research, care, and innovation. Speaking at the Borowy Family Tower at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, the Governor highlighted $218 million in funding for cancer-related initiatives this fiscal year—bringing total state investment to $1.1 billion for cancer research and treatment since 2019.
- Note: The featured photo is from the July 23 press conference.
“I’m proud to announce that, this year, Florida has secured nearly $218 million for the cancer initiatives that our First Lady has championed, including the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, and the Cancer Connect Collaborative Incubator,” said DeSantis. “Florida is committed to continuing to be a national leader in cancer treatment and care.”
The announcement spotlighted three key, fully funded initiatives driving Florida’s cancer strategy. Funded at $127.5 million this year, the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program strengthens the quality and competitiveness of cancer care across Florida. The program provides direct funding to Florida’s four National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated hospitals and institutions working toward that designation, to include Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa), Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville), UF Shands Hospital (Gainesville) and UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (Miami).
Florida’s Cancer Connect Collaborative is a first-of-its-kind national model designed to accelerate research, share best practices, and turn data into actionable results. Guided by five pillars—Data, Best Practices, Innovation, Honesty, and Funding—the initiative brings together public and private partners to reshape cancer care delivery.
Under the Collaborative, Florida launched the Cancer Connect Collaborative Incubator, now fully funded with $30 million. The Incubator will focus its first five-year cycle on pediatric cancer, which accounts for just 1% of cases nationally but impacts thousands of children and families.
Florida’s four major children’s hospitals: Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami and Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville will be eligible for multi-year grants to expand clinical trials, improve treatment protocols, and accelerate cures.
Andrade Preserved $$$ for Cancer Research
In February, Rep. Alex Andrade pushed back against the DeSantis administration’s request to eliminate a dedicated funding source for four National Cancer Institute facilities—Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa), Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville), UF Shands Hospital (Gainesville) and UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (Miami)—to open that money for other providers, including the First Lady’s research fund. Read more.