In the Opinion video above, meet the scientists who are trying to save your life — and the lives of your children and grandchildren.

Dr. Kamila Naxerova is trying to understand how cancer spreads in the body. Dr. Rachael Sirianni is trying to find new ways to deliver drugs for childhood brain cancer. Dr. David Ho is trying to make breakthroughs in H.I.V. research.

These researchers and so many others worked to ensure that Americans had access to the best medical treatments available and that they had first access to those treatments. That is, they worked until Trump administration gutted funding to the National Institutes of Health and froze grants to universities across the country. You can put a dollar amount on how much has been saved, but the cost of what has been lost is incalculable.

“It’s people who will get cancer in 10, 20 or 30 years who will really pay the price for these cuts,” Dr. Naxerova said.

Francesca Trianni is a producer with Opinion Video. Adam Westbrook is a producer and editor with Opinion Video. Jan Kobal is an editor with Opinion Video.

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