FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Claudia Salas Briggs
916-385-4705 | claudia@csbriggsconsulting.com
Measure will provide funding for immunology research to prevent and cure diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease – in our lifetime.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today, supporters of the California Immunology Research & Cures Initiative announced they have submitted over 900,000 signatures to qualify the measure for the November 2026 statewide ballot. This $8.4 billion bond will fund California-based nonprofit universities and research institutions to conduct immunology research to develop cutting-edge immunotherapies to prevent and cure debilitating diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease in our lifetime.
Supporters include organizations and patients who believe this measure is a vital step toward accelerating breakthroughs needed to end some of the most devastating diseases impacting all California families.
“The initiative is a meaningful opportunity to advance the science that could prevent and cure Alzheimer’s disease,” said Ken Toren, Executive Director in Northern California for the Alzheimer’s Association/AIM. “Immunology research is helping unlock how the brain and immune system interact — knowledge critical to the next generation of treatments. The Alzheimer’s Association urges Californians to vote yes in November.”
Immunotherapies are a form of medical treatments that harness the body’s own immune system to recognize and stop diseases. In recent years, breakthrough immunotherapies have been developed that prevent and fight cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, certain leukemias and lymphomas, and more.
“Immunotherapy saved my life — I was just weeks away from losing my life when a breakthrough treatment gave me a second chance,” said Laurie Adami, Cancer Pioneer and Patient Advocate. “That’s why I’m proud to support this bond, because no one should be told hope is out of reach when we have the science to save them.”
Federal funding cuts and funding uncertainty for California universities and research institutions are jeopardizing research into immunotherapies and life-saving cures. This initiative will create our state’s own independent source of funding to ensure scientists and medical experts can continue to conduct vital research leading to life-saving medical treatments.
“Blood Cancer United, the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to supporting blood cancer patients, research and advocacy, strongly supports the California Immunology Research & Cures Initiative,” said Adam Zarrin, Blood Cancer United Director of State Government Affairs. “Breakthroughs in cancer and chronic disease depend on sustained, reliable investment, and funding instability can delay lifesaving clinical trials for patients with few options. This measure will strengthen California’s research and clinical trial infrastructure, helping ensure patients can access cutting-edge therapies sooner while accelerating the search for cures.”
ABOUT THE MEASURE
- Provides at least $8.4 billion to California-based public and nonprofit universities and nonprofit medical research facilities to research the prevention, treatment, and cure of cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and other diseases impacting all Californians.
- Brings together leading scientists and physicians to further develop treatments and cures for some of the world’s most chronic and serious medical conditions, including cancer, heart disease, neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis; and other serious conditions including ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), HIV/AIDS, and muscular dystrophy.
- Designed to repay the bonds and offset costs for the state and taxpayers. Ten percent (10%) of licensing of the cures will be returned to the state to offset the total costs of the bond and interest.
- Strong accountability and transparency requirements, including limiting state administrative costs to no more than 2%, requiring that all grant funds be spent directly on medical research, rigorous conflict of interest rules, public disclosure of all spending, and independent financial audits.
- 20% discounts on immunotherapies for Californians. Any treatments developed through this program must be offered to Californians at a minimum of 20% discount relative to the national average.
- Positions California as the national leader in cutting-edge medical research, generating tens of billions of dollars in economic value and creating tens of thousands of high-paying life sciences jobs – comparable to Silicon Valley’s impact on the state’s economy.
“The Parkinson Association of Northern California supports the California Immunology Research & Cures Initiative because it drives disease-modifying research focused on slowing or stopping Parkinson’s, not just managing its symptoms,” said Jan Whitney, Executive Director of Parkinson Association of Northern California. “This work advances our understanding of the gut-immune-brain connection, where the disease may originate, and holds real potential to save lives.”
“Today we take a vital step toward ending the diseases that have devastated our families for generations,” said Dr. Gary Michelson, M.D., Physician, Inventor and Philanthropist. “Immunotherapy has already cured cancers once thought incurable and more hope is on the horizon. This initiative ensures that California will continue to be a world class leader in developing the next generation of life saving medical breakthroughs.”
Voter signatures will now be verified by counties before formal certification by the Secretary of State.
GROWING COALITION OF SUPPORTERS:
Alzheimer’s Association/AIM
Alzheimer’s Los Angeles
Alzheimer’s Orange County
American Nurses Association of California
Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement
Blood Cancer United
California Black Health Network
California Colorectal Cancer Coalition
California Human Development
Center for Employment and Training
Central Valley Opportunity Center
City of Hope
Comité de Acción del Valle
FirstDay Foundation
GO2 for Lung Cancer
Head and Neck Cancer Alliance
International Myeloma Foundation
Kidney Cancer Association
La Cooperativa Campesina de California
Liver Coalition
Parkinson Association of Northern California
Research!America
Social Equity LA
The ALS Association
Via Care Community Health Center
Wonder Wood Ranch
*Partial list
Titles and affiliations are for identification purposes only