We are excited to again share with you how the Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund (CRF) has helped the citizens of our state. As you will read in this issue of Conquest, the state of Maryland and Johns Hopkins have a long and meaningful history of collaboration. This hard work has resulted in monumental progress—including going from leading the country in cancer death rates a few decades ago to now ranking 34th in the nation; the support to recruit the best and brightest young cancer researchers and doctors; and the transfer of technology to serve the public good. We are making unprecedented progress. Yet, we truly believe that the best is yet to come.

After decades of research, we have seen extraordinary progress (See The Next Cancer Front, page 2). Our investigators have enlisted the full power of the immune system against cancer. New molecular technologies are making the dream of simple blood tests to detect and monitor almost every type of cancer a reality. The ability to prevent cancer is being realized. Disparities, where improvements in cancer outcomes lag behind for minorities and the underserved, are being erased. We are solving the cancer problem.

Yes, there is work that remains to be done, but we truly believe a brighter future is on the horizon. The full Johns Hopkins enterprise—five schools and 35 departments—is invested with us in overcoming cancer. Those things we imagined 50 years ago when our Cancer Center opened its doors are today helping patients. As we celebrate what we’ve accomplished, we renew our mission to conquer cancer. With a continued partnership through the CRF, we are certain there is nothing we cannot accomplish for the people of Maryland.