WASHINGTON, D.C – December 6, 2016 – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the bipartisan Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access and Research (STAR) Act, which advances pediatric cancer research and increases transparency and expertise for pediatric cancer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Additionally, the legislation ensures pharmaceutical companies have compassionate use policies that are accessible to the public and expands research into the long-term side effects of childhood cancer and its treatments.
A statement from Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), follows:
“We applaud lawmakers for their commitment to initiatives that will improve research, treatment and outcomes for children with cancer.
“Tragically, a number of childhood cancers have no effective treatments and remain incurable. The STAR Act will aid in the development of new treatments and improve the quality of life for kids while they receive treatment and throughout the rest of their lives.
“Congress can make a significant difference by providing researchers the essential tools to fight childhood cancer and helping those children survive and thrive.
“On behalf of the more than 379,000 childhood and adolescent cancer survivors living in the U.S. today, we urge the Senate to quickly take up and pass the STAR Act.”
About ACS CAN
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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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]