Politicians are pushing aggressively to obtain federal funding for mesothelioma research. Over a dozen senators and lobbyists are vying for funding from the Department of Defense's 2009 appropriation bill. They argue that one third of patients with mesothelioma worked in the Navy or at Navy shipyards when they were exposed to asbestos. Receiving funds from the Department of Defense would give mesothelioma research credibility and attract scientists to the field.

Currently, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation funds about $1 million worth of research annually. Its president Chris Hahn, however, argues that in order to motivate researchers, there must be consistent funds of about $29 million annually.

But Hahn said the foundation is not looking to see money earmarked for the cause. Instead, they want to see mesothelioma listed as a priority part of the Pentagon’s peer-reviewed medical research program. Researchers would then compete for grants from the Department of Defense. And Congress has a say in how much money goes to the overall program — as well as which diseases would be listed as a priority.

Hahn says it is encouraging that MARF's call for funding is being heard, but he believes their efforts are far from over. “For decades the football was stuck in the opposing team’s endzone,” Hahn said. “The ball is finally moving, but we still have 90 yards to go out of 100.”

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