Immunotherapy is changing the future of cancer care, but patients can’t afford for research to slow down.”— Gina Carithers, President and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.SACRAMENTO, NV, UNITED STATES, August 21, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — A new cancer vaccine, which could be a game-changer, provides the most recent proof that immunology research has the power to reshape cancer treatment—and it underscores why California must vote yes on Proposition 38, the Immunology Medical Research & Cures Initiative appearing on the state’s November ballot. Endorsed by prominent cancer advocacy groups, this measure would allocate $8.4 billion to accelerate scientific progress in therapies for cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, ALS, and other serious conditions.
According to a New York Times report from this week, an experimental personalized mRNA vaccine, when paired with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, helped prevent high-risk melanoma from returning or spreading. Researchers described the results as a potentially major milestone toward a new class of cancer treatments that leverage a patient’s own immune system to combat disease.
This scientific advance highlights the immense potential of immunology and immunotherapy research, which is why leading patient advocacy organizations and individuals affected by cancer are backing YES on Prop 38.
“Immunotherapy is changing the future of cancer care, but patients can’t afford for research to slow down,” said Gina Carithers, President and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. “We urgently need sustained investment to accelerate breakthroughs and bring more life-saving treatments to patients and families.”
Cancer advocacy groups supporting Prop 38 include the Melanoma Research Alliance, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Blood Cancer United, GO2 for Lung Cancer, FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, International Myeloma Foundation, Kidney Cancer Association, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, Liver Coalition, Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, California Colorectal Cancer Coalition, and City of Hope. Collectively, these organizations speak for patients and families dealing with melanoma, prostate, lung, blood, colorectal, liver, kidney, bladder, and other cancers.
The recent medical breakthrough in cancer vaccine development confirms what patients and advocates have long recognized: sustained medical research can turn once-unthinkable concepts into treatments that offer patients greater hope and more time. That is also why patient advocates stress the importance of preserving investment in medical research at a time when federal research funding faces uncertainty.
“As a four-time cancer survivor, I’ve seen firsthand how years of scientific research can transform a patient’s future,” said Lila Javan, Immunotherapy Patient and Cancer Survivor. “Immunotherapies gave me more hope and more time – something every patient and their family deserves.”
Prop 38 arrives at a pivotal moment, with federal research funding cuts and instability threatening to delay medical research, clinical trials, and future breakthroughs. The measure would establish a reliable funding stream for scientists and medical experts working to advance life-saving treatments and cures.
Prop 38 is structured to be self-funding. Ten percent of all revenue from immunotherapy licensing must be returned to California to cover the measure’s total costs, including interest. Moreover, any cure or immunotherapy developed will be made available to California patients at a 20 percent discount. The measure also includes strict accountability provisions, such as:
2 percent cap on state administrative expenses
Public disclosure of spending
Independent financial audits
For-profit corporations are not eligible for grant funding
YES on Prop 38 is backed by a broad coalition of patient advocates, doctors, nurses, scientists, researchers, and medical organizations working on behalf of Californians affected by cancer and other devastating diseases.
Learn more at YESon38.com, including a full coalition list and what supporters are saying.
Robin Swanson
Yes on Prop 38
Press@YesOn38.com
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