It is very important for the future of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center (UHCC) and our Hawaii Cancer Consortium partners that Hawaii residents learn through the media the important role we play to provide better access to cancer clinical trials and to find better ways to prevent and treat cancer in Hawaii.

So thank you for the supportive coverage about the center.

As a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Cancer Center, the UHCC must compete every five years with all the best U.S. cancer centers to retain this very important designation that carries tremendous prestige, as well as a grant called P30.

Moreover, it gives access to unique funding opportunities that are available only to NCI-designated cancer centers.

More than 80 percent of the federal budget for cancer research goes to the 5 percent or fewer cancer centers that carry NCI designation.

Several U.S. states do not have an NCI-designated cancer centers.

For the geographic reasons outlined, Hawaii should continue to invest to keep our cancer center in the top 5 percent of cancer centers that have NCI designation.

I see, unfortunately, some comments in your editorial that once again misrepresent the facts ("Cancer Center chief change an opportunity," Star-Advertiser, Our View, Nov. 30). During the past six years, we have accomplished a great deal, and Hawaii residents should know that.

Rather than trying to address these comments one by one, I would encourage readers to see the official NCI 2012 review of the Cancer Center (http://www.uhcancercenter. org/pdf/2012-nci-review.pdf), and know that our scores improved in 2012 compared to the similar review that took place in 2005.

The NCI peer review is the strictest review (audit) every NCI-designated cancer center in the country must undergo to earn or maintain NCI designation and the accompanying P30 grant. Every five years, a panel of 20-plus scientists and cancer center directors is appointed by the NCI and sent to site visit (audit) each NCI-designated cancer center in the country.

Their report is re-reviewed by a panel formed by about the same number of cancer experts appointed by the NCI, known as the "parent committee," which averages scores among cancer centers around the country.

Our Cancer Center received the score of "excellent" and I as director received the score of "outstanding." That is what the Cancer Center community thinks of our work and of my work as director, nationally and internationally.

One little factual correction to your editorial: Pat Blanchette was hired in an existing open position because of the resignation of the previous associate director for administration, Lynn Heirakuji.

We conducted a national search, and Blanchette was selected for that position because of her extensive track record and knowledge of UH. She has been a blessing to the Cancer Center. She reported to me, not to Brian Taylor (the interim vice chancellor for research), and we should all be glad and thankful that Dr. Blanchette works for the UHCC.

Presently, there is an outstanding faculty and administrative staff at the Cancer Center. Most of them work as a team; they work very hard and quietly; and many of them have made very important contributions in our fight to prevent and treat cancer in Hawaii and worldwide.

It has been my great privilege to work with them and I am very proud of what we have accomplished together.

I have great confidence that under Jerris Hedges’ new leadership, they will continue to do great things for Hawaii and for the world.