RELEASE: Gottheimer Announces Jennifer Feinberg, a Mom, Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient, & Life-saving Cancer Research Supporter, as State of the Union Guest

Today, February 7, 2023, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer announced metastatic breast cancer patient, mother of two, a leader in funding life-saving research, and long-time family friend, Jennifer Feinberg, as his guest for the State of the Union Address tonight.

In 2020, Jen Feinberg was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. In recent years, Jen has focused her energy on funding life-saving cancer research. She has set up grants through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which devotes 40% of its research on metastasis. In recent years, she has raised more than $800,000, funding two full research grants the last few years. She is currently working on raising enough money for a third. Read more of Jen’s story here.

“I’m incredibly proud to have Jen as my State of the Union guest today. While facing her own metastatic, stage four breast cancer diagnosis, Jen has put her energy into paving the way for new cures and treatments that will save lives. She’s raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for critical new cancer research, including support for entire research grants. Not only is she a wife and a mother of two amazing daughters, Jen has dedicated her time to helping others, and she’s been a dear friend to me and my family,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Jen’s bravery and hard work are nothing short of inspiring. And I’m taking that inspiration to fuel my work in Congress, fighting to boost federal investment in cancer research — so that we can bring more hope to families all across our country.”

In tonight’s State of the Union address, the President is expected to announce efforts to continue accelerating progress to end cancer. Previously, the President reignited the Cancer Moonshot with the goal of cutting U.S. cancer death rates by at least half in 25 years and supporting Americans, their caregivers, and families living with and surviving cancer.

Cancer has touched nearly every American family, and it remains the second leading cause of death in the United States. 

In Congress, Gottheimer is a member of the bipartisan Congressional Rare Disease Caucus and is fighting for key efforts to help find cures for cancers and rare diseases:

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act: Gottheimer is helping lead the bipartisan Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act, which will increase access to support and medical care by waiving Medicare and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) waiting periods for those with metastatic breast cancer. 

Cameron’s Law: Gottheimer has introduced bipartisan legislation — Cameron’s Law — to fully restore the Orphan Disease Research Tax Credit, following the 2017 Tax Hike Bill cutting the Tax Credit in half and making treatment for rare diseases even rarer. Cameron’s Law — named after Cameron Hyman from Wyckoff, NJ, who is diagnosed with the rare disease Sanfilippo Syndrome — will help New Jersey’s life sciences leaders invest more in research and development for cures for rare diseases. An orphan disease is a disease that impacts a small percentage of the population, oftentimes with no FDA-approved treatment.

The Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act: Gottheimer has helped lead the bipartisan Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act, which will increase federal investment in pediatric cancer research — so that we can invest in more clinical trials and save more children’s lives. In recent years, only 4% of federal cancer research investment has been allocated to pediatric cancer. The Fairness to Kids with Cancer Act will adjust federal investment in pediatric cancer research to match the percentage of American citizens under the age of 18.

Investing in the Breast Cancer Research Program: Gottheimer helped get bipartisan legislation successfully signed into law that invests in the Breast Cancer Research Program.

The Orphan Drug COVID-19 Mitigation Act: Gottheimer has introduced the bipartisan Orphan Drug COVID-19 Mitigation Act to allow a life sciences company that resumes a trial for a new or existing orphan indication (drugs which show promise in the treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of rare diseases or conditions) that was halted during the public health emergency declaration to be granted a claw-back of an additional six months of exclusivity on the specific product under consideration when it comes to market.

The KO Cancer Act: Gottheimer has helped lead the bipartisan KO Cancer Act, which will boost investment for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for cancer research.

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