Childhood Cancer Research

Share

About 9,550 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025. An estimated 1,050 children under the age of 15 are expected to die from cancer in 2025.   

Group of advocates in yellow for childhood cancer action day

In February, ACS CAN volunteers joined other cancer patients, survivors and family members from 40 states and the District of Columbia in the nation’s capital for the 15th Annual Alliance for Childhood Cancer Action Days, a two-day event organized by the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, of which ACS CAN is a member. 

Participants asked lawmakers to continue funding the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access and Research (STAR) Act to improve the quality of life of childhood cancer patients, survivors and their families.  They also asked lawmakers to support the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care ACT, the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act, and the RARE Act. Additionally, they urged Congress to continue to make strong investments in the National Institutes for Health and the National Cancer Institute to help advance discoveries in the fight against childhood cancer.

Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death for children aged 1-19.

While cancer is much rarer in children compared to adults, the disease can take a tremendous toll because it strikes so early in life and survivors face high rates of late effects that can last a lifetime.

Read the Childhood Cancer Landscape Report

Latest Updates

February 13, 2025
National

Today, the House Budget Committee began to mark up their budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2025.

February 12, 2025
National

The Senate Budget Committee is scheduled to mark up its budget resolution this week, setting the stage for significant cuts in discretionary spending to offset the cost of the package.

February 26, 2024
Virginia

ARLINGTON, V.A. – February 26, 2024 – Arlington native and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteer Olivia Bartrum recently trekked to Capitol Hill to share about her experience with pediatric cancer. During her visit, she urged lawmakers, including Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and Representatives

February 26, 2024
National

ACS CAN volunteers recently traveled to Washington, D.C., from across the nation to join more than 200 other cancer patients, survivors and family members from 32 states and the District of Columbia in the nation’s capital for the 14 th Annual Alliance for Childhood Cancer Action Days, a two-day event

Childhood Cancer Research Resources

Progress in improving childhood cancer outcomes relies on regular, federal investment in childhood cancer research, including continued funding for the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act and Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI). 

ACS CAN has been involved in a number of significant successes for childhood cancer appropriations including The Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act and Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI).

Research has improved treatments and boosted survival in some types of pediatric cancer, but treatment toxicities still can cause significant suffering that continues into adulthood and can last a lifetime.