Vivvienne Duskcatcher

Screenshotted article here:

To give some additional insight into how insane this is, no matter WHAT party is behind it:

Since 1937, the federal government has led a bipartisan and RIGOROUS effort to eradicate cancer. President Roosevelt takes action to establish the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and this is STILL center of US cancer research. This is the large bucket all the research funding is put in to distribute amongst research + trials.

The NCI has this to say about their establishment in 1937 (emphasis by me):

August 5, 1937—The National Cancer Institute (NCI) was established through the National Cancer Act of 1937, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Its passage represented the culmination of nearly three decades of efforts to formalize the U.S. government’s place in cancer research. The act represents the first time that Congress provided funding to address a non-communicable disease. The act created NCI as an independent research institute within the Public Health Service. NCI became the federal government’s principal agency for conducting research and training on the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

NCI was tasked with assisting and promoting cancer research at other public and private institutions, particularly by providing funding opportunities to support promising cancer research. The act established the National Advisory Cancer Council, now known as the National Cancer Advisory Board, which recommended approval of first award for fellowships in cancer research shortly thereafter.

For nearly 90 years, there has been dedicated and earnest federal funding towards cancer research. During this span of time, the leukemia that killed my great grandmother in 8 months at 38 years old can now be treated and SURVIVED. Cancer is not a death sentence PURELY because doctors have spent nearly a century not resting until answers are found. This is not political, this is humanitarian. Our breakthroughs in America are shared internationally and our international peers share back with us. This funding should be beyond reproach as it goes to one of our greatest successes in the international medical community.

The NCI site has this excellent graphic laying out major points in their history:

Click this link to see the actual amount of significant historical markers of the NCI: Important Events in NCI History

seriously, click it and see how long it takes to scroll to the end of the history section. You will notice most presidents have tried to make a positive impact somewhere in the NCI, regardless of party. Cancer is not an option for political pissing matches.

Okay, so what is the Cancer Moonshot?

Moonshot is an initiative originally added to the NCI in 2016 that was a BURST of funding, research, and patient trials. This is a thriving research environment as lush as the amazonian rainforest. As VP, Biden led the way clearing a space for the Moonshot - - deeply motivated by the loss of his son to brain cancer. It is clear he has been determined to secure the Moonshot's place in the NCI permanently in the interest of public health.

Here's the NCI's event marker for Moonshot:

January 12, 2016—During his 2016 State of the Union Address, President Obama called on Vice President Biden to lead a new, national “Moonshot” initiative to eliminate cancer as we know it. The goal is to double the rate of progress against cancer, achieving in five years what otherwise would have taken ten. The White House announced a $1 billion initiative to jumpstart this work.

Not only was there a surge in research, but there was a massive acceleration in our understanding of early detection in many cancers. Meaning we started catching it smaller, less invasive, and easier to eradicate (becoming CANCER FREE!!!!!! 🎉). If you wondered why you were hearing so many updates to when to get screened, this is largely the explanation. We started saving more lives!

It is a very robust and multi-faceted piece of our public health system that I am not qualified to speak on in every capacity, so I will leave you with a link to its info page. If you ever feel hopeless about cancer, I recommend looking here to find out how we've most recently began kicking its ass. There are some exciting international trials beginning that involve immunotherapy + vaccine-based care 🎉🎉🎉

I know this is a lot to read, but if you don't want to read my words, then PLEASE consider reading the NCI's words. There are very few organizations that have such impactful insights into life-saving efforts.

You don’t need to waste your time investigating whether they are a bot or a psy-op or a misinformed rube. It doesn’t matter. Either way, they add no value to your dashboard. Block and move on.

Then make a plan for Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Register, confirm you’re still registered, check your voting location or register to vote absentee or by mail.

I want things to get better here instead of having to leave it behind to be safe!! I literally live in North Carolina i KNOW about the bathroom bills, i KNOW i PROMISE YOU.

Queer people who look down on the south and refuse to acknowledge that there are queer people here infuriate me. The south is not just Bigotry World tm! There are poc here!! There are trans people here! There are queer people and disabled people and tons of other people who deserve your love and support!

Marine life specialists noticed a spotted eagle ray mother was having trouble and helped her deliver two baby rays 

Variegated Mantella (Mantella baroni), family Mantellidae, Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar

Poisonous.

Browse the very real Mark Sherz RedBubble store inspired by the Frogs of Madagascar and respond to this assignment with a list of at least three items you would wish to own.

Class Discussion: (5-10 min)

Why would a genuine research scientist who is popular on Tumblr be motivated to open a RedBubble store? Discuss advantages and potential pitfalls this could create for them. Can you think of any historical precedent? How has the modern phenomenon of influencer culture impacted the way we think of scientists today?

Main Activity: (remaining time)

Individual or Partner work.

Pretend you are already established research scientists. Choose a field of study such as biology, astronomy, psychology, etc. Then pick a specific area of research such as virology, exoplanet discovery, etc. You are encouraged to use the Index of Branches of Science (Wikipedia) to find a very specific field of scientific research.

Fill in the accompanying Google Form to figure out what you are known for online and how much of a following you have as an influencer. Be creative!

On paper, begin brainstorming your merchandise. Use drawings and written descriptions to bring your inventory to life. You can do market research as well by looking into similar online stores by other scientific influencers.

Extension: