PHILADELPHIA – The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism in the following categories:
Magazine
Newspaper
Online/Multimedia
Television/Radio/Podcast
The prize recipients will be recognized on Sunday, April 19, during the Opening Ceremony at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego, California. The AACR Annual Meeting brings together thousands of researchers, clinicians, survivors, patients, and advocates to share the latest advances in cancer science and medicine.
The AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism was established in 2015 to raise awareness of the critical role that the media play in educating the public about cancer and cancer research. The prize showcases outstanding examples of cancer journalism and recognizes individual professional journalists who have produced accurate, informative, and compelling stories that enhance the public’s understanding of cancer, cancer research, cancer advocacy, or cancer policy. The prize is named in honor of June L. Biedler, PhD , and is supported by a generous bequest she made to the AACR.
“The AACR is thrilled to honor these distinguished journalists with the 2026 AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR. “The recipients of this year’s awards all demonstrated a remarkable ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in clear, accessible language while crafting a compelling narrative. Their stories exemplify impactful health and science reporting and have truly enriched the public’s understanding of cancer. We are grateful to be able to continually recognize journalists with the generous bequest from Dr. Biedler and to celebrate and amplify their essential work.”
“There is nothing about cancer—the science, treatment, drug development, survivorship, or the day-to-day experiences of millions of patients worldwide—that isn’t steeped in complexity,” said Clifton Leaf, adjunct professor at Columbia Journalism School, former editor-in-chief of Fortune, visiting member of the Ellison Medical Institute, and chair of the Biedler Prize since 2017. “And yet this year’s Biedler Prize winners and finalists brought clarity and understanding to every question they explored. That is what great reporters do.”
ABOUT THE WINNING SUBMISSIONS
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