FASEB Joins Advocacy Community in Support of Rally for Medical Research

By: Jennifer Zeitzer
Thursday, September 25, 2025
On September 18, representatives from FASEB’s volunteer leadership and member societies joined nearly 500 patient advocates, scientists, and researchers from 37 states for the 13th Rally for Medical Research. FASEB was represented by President Eric Kelley, PhD, Professor and Associate Chair of Research in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at West Virginia University (WVU) Health Sciences Center.

Kelley participated in meetings with Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Jim Justice, and Representative Riley Moore’s offices, among others, to discuss how funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits individuals and institutions throughout West Virginia. He also expressed deep appreciation to Senator Capito for her efforts to secure a $400 million increase for NIH in the fiscal year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill that was passed by the Senate this summer. Support from NIH is critically important to West Virginia’s research enterprise. In fiscal year 2024, West Virginia received $54 million in NIH funding that went to universities in both congressional districts in the state. Participants shared a new infographic detailing key facts about NIH funding with the congressional offices they met with. 

FASEB also sponsored travel awards to bring members of FASEB societies from targeted states to Washington, D.C. to expand the federation’s participation in the rally. The travel awards went to Claire Kittock from the American Society of Human Genetics, Scott Wetzel from the American Association of Immunologists, Elisabeth Marnik from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Heidi Lampradl from the Genetics Society of America. 

This was the largest rally in the event’s history. Held annually in September, the rally is organized by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). The purpose is to bring patients, researchers, clinicians, and family members to Capitol Hill to meet with their Senators and Representatives to urge Congress to provide robust and predictable funding for NIH.

FASEB has participated in the rally since its inception and was a bronze sponsor this year. Pictures and first-hand accounts from rally participants are available on AACR and FASEB’s social media channels. In addition, a two-page ad about the rally appeared in the Wall Street Journal on September 16.