WASHINGTON, D.C. -- May 17, 2016 -- Advocates from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will join more than 200 childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families on Capitol Hill today to ask Congress to support initiatives that would improve research, treatment, and outcomes for children with cancer. The fifth annual Childhood Cancer Action Day event, coordinated by the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, is an effort to advance important legislation that will benefit the nearly 16,000 children newly diagnosed with cancer each year.
"Tragically, a number of childhood cancers have no treatments at all and remain incurable," said Chris Hansen, president of ACS CAN. "That 's why families from 30 states are bringing their deeply personal and powerful experiences and voices to this Childhood Cancer Action Day to help elevate childhood cancer as a priority issue for members of Congress."
Advocates as young as six years old will meet with their members of Congress to ask for their support of increased funding for childhood cancer research at the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute, as well for co-sponsorship of the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access and Research (STAR) Act. The STAR Act (H.R. 3381/S. 1883) was introduced by Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Shelley Moore Capitol (R-WV).
The legislation would advance pediatric cancer research, increase transparency and expertise for pediatric cancer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ensure pharmaceutical companies have compassionate use policies that are accessible to the public, and expand research into the long-term side effects due to childhood cancer and its treatments.
"The STAR Act will aid in the development of new treatments and improve the quality of life for kids not only while they receive cancer treatments, but throughout the rest of their lives," said Hansen. "Congress has a significant role to play in addressing these critical areas of need to ensure researchers have the essential tools to fight childhood cancer and make sure children with cancer not only survive, but thrive."
More than 379,000 childhood and adolescent cancer survivors are living in the U.S. today. While advances in treatment have increased the survival rate for some childhood cancers, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children ages 5-14 in the U.S.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jill Courtney or Alissa Crispino American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Phone: (202) 585-3278 or (202) 661-5772 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
