AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas voters could soon be asked to decide if the state should continue its role in bankrolling the battle against cancer.

Tuesday, the Texas House approved a resolution that would set a November 5 statewide vote. Enough support would mean the state's cancer-fighting agency, known as CPRIT, would be allowed to issue another $3 billion in taxpayer-funded grants for cancer research and prevention.

CPRIT was created in 2007 when voters initially approved $3 billion in taxpayer-funded bonds. That money is now running low and without action, CPRIT says it will soon run out.

“What’s interesting about the fight against cancer and funding research is many of the major breakthroughs that happen with grants that you fund typically happen in the second 10 years,” said James Gray, the regional managing director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “We’ve had great success with CPRIT in the first ten years. Funding it another 10 years is going to exponentially increase that success.”

According to CPRIT, to date, more than 1,300 grants have been awarded totaling more than $2.2 billion. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network also notes there are also more than 5.2 million screening or prevention services that have been provided in Texas’ 254 counties, and over 3,500 cancers detected.

The measure now heads to the Senate.

Click the video link above to watch our full interview with Gray.