Topeka ? The Kansas University Cancer Center will launch a $72 million fundraising drive this year.

“It’s time for the community to step up and do their part,” Dr. Roy Jensen, executive director of the Cancer Center in Kansas City, Kan., said Wednesday.

Members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee liked what they heard. “This is very exciting with the possibilities and what this means to health care,” said Chairman Dwayne Umbarger, R-Thayer.

Jensen briefed committee members on what the center’s plans are this year in its effort to attain designation as a National Cancer Institute within 10 years.

In addition to the fundraising campaign, the center will continue to seek $5 million in state funds annually from the Legislature.

“State support is critical to continuing our momentum toward achieving NCI designation and to raising the additional funds from the community,” Jensen said.

The initial $5 million approved last year by the Legislature helped the center recruit top scientists and strengthen programs, he said.

Another key area of progress, he said, has been development of the Midwest Cancer Alliance, which is the center’s outreach arm to bring the latest cancer care advances and clinical trials to doctors and patients across the state.