Deadline for Applications is

February 1, 2009

CUPID Program Dates:

June 8, 2009 – July 31, 2009

8 Week CUPID Summer Fellowship Includes:

• Stipend $5,000.00
• Housing
• Laboratory Experience
• Formal Lectures
• NCI visit and tour
• Special Event Dinners/Social Events
• Free Gym Membership

About CUPID

In December of 1971, President Nixon made the “conquest of cancer a national crusade” by signing the National Cancer Act. This Act granted special powers to the NCI to direct the national fight against cancer.

The war against cancer has had many triumphs. However, certain populations are not enjoying the full benefits of these hard-won battles. Racial/ethnic minorities and the poor/under class, who historically have been medically underserved, continue to be so with respect to oncologic care. For example: African Americans are 30% more likely to die from cancer than White Americans. Native Americans have the lowest 5 year cancer survival rate of any group in the US and Vietnamese American women have an incidence of cervical cancer 5 times that of White American women. The poor suffer an excess burden as well. Americans in poor counties (20% below the poverty line) have a 13% higher mortality rate from cancer than Americans in wealthier counties (<10% below the poverty line). This increase in mortality, associated with poverty, is also seen when one controls for race.

Although many programs nationally and locally are addressing the issue of health care disparities, more must be done. Johns Hopkins and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center wishing to aid in the elimination of health care disparities in Oncology will provide a summer fellowship entitled Cancer in the Under-Privileged Indigent or Disadvantaged (CUPID). The mission of this program is to promote the discipline of Oncology among medical students interested in, caring for or understanding the needs of, under-privileged, indigent or disadvantaged people. It is an 8 week program in which 6 medical students will have the opportunity to conduct laboratory research in various aspects of oncology. In addition, there will be formal lectures discussing health care disparities, general oncologic principles, and specific diseases prevalent in underserved populations. The SKCCC and Hopkins will provide the students with a generous stipend and housing. Our hope is that this program will produce physicians who will proudly join in the crusade against cancer.