Vice President Biden Hosts Roundtable On His Cancer Moonshot Initiative
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (R) speaks during a roundtable on the Cancer Moonshot Initiative as comedian Jon Stewart (2nd R) looks on December 13, 2016 at Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Former vice president Joe Biden's cancer initiative did not give out any money for research and spent most of its contributions to staff salaries, as per federal tax filings.

The Biden Cancer Initiative was established in 2017 by the former vice president and his wife Jill Biden. Its aim was to help find "solutions to accelerate progress in cancer prevention."

The cancer initiative received nearly $4.81 million in contributions for the fiscal year 2017 and 2018. Then, it spent about $3.07 million during the said time frame, said an exclusive New York Post report.

There were no grants during the charity's first two years. Instead, it spent millions for salaries of Washington aides that it hired.

But its executive director Gregory Simon reiterated that the main point of the charity was not to give out grants. Instead, its goal is to find way to accelerate treatment for all, regardless of their economic or cultural backgrounds.

Biden Cancer Initiative Heads Get Six-Figure Salaries

As per the charity's most recent tax filings, Simon received $429,850 in fiscal year 2018 (July 2018 to June 2019).

Previously, his salary was only around $224,539 as seen in 2017 fiscal tax filings.

In the same year Danielle Carnival, former chief of staff of Obama's cancer initiative Cancer Moonshot Task Force, took home $258,207.

According to Daily Mail, the initiative's Director of Communications, the Director of Science Policy and Director of Engagement also received six-figure salaries.

As for other expenses like conferences and travel, Biden's cancer initiative spent $56,738 and $59,356 respectively during that year.

But the following year, these expenses blew up to $742,953 and $97,149, the Post reported.

Biden first headed the Moonshot task force during his time as vice president.

When he left office, the Biden Cancer Initiative wanted to push through with the same efforts provided by Moonshot, as said in a 2017 press release announcing its launch.

The nonprofit's board was stacked with leading oncologists. It also featured some celebrity cancer survivors.

Biden Cancer Initiative Suspended Operations Last Year

According to Associated Press, the nonprofit did manage to promote almost 60 partnerships with drug companies, health care firms, charities and other health organizations. These organizations pledged more than $400 million to improve cancer treatment.

Last year, it announced the suspension of its operations.

Biden and his wife had to get off the charity's board in April 2019 as a precaution for when he joined the presidential campaign.

However, the campaign had a hard time taking off without the husband and wife's involvement.

When the initiative was suspended, Simon said they were halting given their "unique circumstances."

He added that everyone involved with the projects were still "committed to the cause, but at this time will have to pause efforts."

According to Internal Revenue Service, the Biden Cancer Initiative is still officially active. But Simon sad they lost their "edge" without the Bidens.

He said the people left behind can't replicate how the Bidens convened power and "ability to get issues to the top of the list" of health-care world interest.