Reeves signs $100M for Mississippi cancer center

Gov. Tate Reeves signed into law Wednesday a $100 million appropriation approved by state lawmakers to help build a cancer center in Mississippi, a campaign said in a Facebook post. The post said the funding advances efforts to create a facility aimed at achieving National Cancer Institute designation.

The campaign said federal elected officials and many private donors also support the effort. The organizers used the slogan “It’s About Time” to convey their view that Mississippi needs local access to advanced cancer care and clinical trials.

An NCI-Designated Cancer Center is a recognition by the National Cancer Institute that a center meets rigorous standards for cancer research, patient care and access to clinical trials, experts note. Such designation often expands research opportunities and access to cutting-edge treatments.

Campaign officials said the new facility’s care and research could influence patient outcomes for generations and keep life-saving care in the state. The campaign provided a website, abouttime.ms, for more information.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.