From time to time, politicians declare war on cancer, as for example President Nixon did in 1971 with his National Cancer Act and $100 million program that grew into the Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center and a couple of other initiatives.  At the time, some researchers complained that the attention on cancer took resources away from basic research which was (and still is) considered equally important.<p>Ironically, it was HIV that led to better cancer treatments.  The crash research to understand the AIDS virus gave scientists better understanding of cellular surface structures, immunity, and retrovirus mechanisms, among many other things, much of which tied into battling cancers.<p>Getting back to Ellison&#x27;s generous gift, it&#x27;s inspiring and heartwarming to see this great entrepreneur making such a difference.  The philanthropy of Gates, Ellison, and many other American billionaires flies in the face of the hostility and classism of the &quot;one percenter&quot; slur that has become so in vogue these past few years.<p>If Ellison&#x27;s cancer research institute pushes knowledge forward even just incrementally, it will have been worth every penny.  Every new data point helps push the field forward.  In addition, a salaried job for a scientist is a great thing in this era of cutbacks and anti-science attitudes.  We need brilliant young minds to see science as a viable career path.