The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center – Nebraska Medical Center is one of only 73 cancer centers in the U.S. with the special National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation. This recognition brings life-changing benefits directly to Nebraskans facing cancer.

“It means that we have the best research at our center that can lead to better therapies,” says Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “We offer clinical trials at our center, and our culture is that a clinical trial is part of the standard of care for cancer.”

The NCI designation does more than just bring advanced treatments to Nebraska. It also attracts top researchers and significant funding. NCI-designated cancer centers receive about 67% of all external NCI funds, giving the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center the resources needed to pursue groundbreaking research.
 

“The best researchers want to be at institutions that have NCI-designated centers,” Dr. Sweasy says. For Nebraska patients, this means access to the newest cancer treatments close to home. The center is also working to improve cancer screening across the state. 

“We have an under-screened state. We want to surpass the U.S. in terms of screening,” Dr. Sweasy says. “Early detection saves lives.”

Perhaps most importantly, the designation connects Nebraska to a national network.

“We’re part of the national team,” Dr. Sweasy emphasizes. “Just like the Huskers, Nebraskans want to play at the national level. We’re part of the national team to cure cancer.”