MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that the state was making a $2 million investment in cancer research and said questions about the 2026 election should be left to the “imagination.”
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DeSantis and Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, a cancer survivor, were at Florida International University’s main campus in Miami-Dade County’s University Park area.
“Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the state,” DeSantis said.
Jeanette Nuñez, the former lieutenant governor serving as FIU’s interim president, met them for a news conference at the Academic Health Center, at 10800 SW 10 St.
“It means the world being able to stand here now after six rounds of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation, 3 surgeries and counting,” the first lady said.
Nuñez said the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, the medical school at FIU, had partnered with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for research on advanced pediatric cancers.
According to FIU researchers, the studies involve the use of artificial intelligence and robotic instruments to advance functional precision oncology for both adults and children.
“The funds will be used to make this technology accessible to cancer patients who need it the most,” said Diana Azzam, an FIU researcher with the Center for Advancing Personalized Cancer Treatments at FIU.
Local 10 News Reporter Christina Vazquez asked the first lady, a former TV news reporter, if she was planning to run for governor in 2026.
“To quote the late Yogi Berra, if you see a fork in the road, take it,” the first lady said.
After the evasive answer, DeSantis took back the podium to praise the first lady.
“She is articulate, she is smart, she has got rock solid values,” Gov. DeSantis said.
President Donald Trump recently endorsed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.