Kathleen’s Desk

Federal Budget Sequester to Impact Kids with Cancer

by Kathleen Ruddy, CEO, St. Baldrick's Foundation
February 28, 2013

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The budget sequester. Some may not know what those two words mean, but for people fighting for kids with cancer – we should. Federal budget sequester cuts, set to become official tomorrow unless Congress acts immediately, will severely impact childhood cancer research and treatment.

These cuts could negatively impact the future for kids with cancer who are fighting today and those who will be fighting 10 years from now, unless we, as a community, come together and take serious action.

With a meager 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget directed to childhood cancer research, children with cancer are already the underdogs, and that was before the fiscal cliff loomed before us.

But why is the terrain on the cliff so different for kids than it is for adults?

See, nearly 60% of all research for adult cancers is funded by pharmaceutical companies – so for adults, that money will still be there. How much money, you ask, comes from pharmaceutical companies for kids with cancer? The numbers are too little to count.

So while the fiscal cliff may place adult cancer research in a precarious position, the cushion that pharmaceutical support provides will help absorb the impact of the fall. Kids with cancer don’t have this cushion – they will hit a rock-hard bottom.

If you haven’t made your voice heard.
If you haven’t spoken up to your members of Congress.
If you haven’t shouted from the rooftops.

Now is the time.

As U.S. citizens, we have the right to use our voice to express our opinions to the officials we elect. Please use it on behalf of the thousands of children who can’t vote, and who can’t speak on their own behalf. Please use your voice – Speak Up for Kids’ Cancer!

In your service,

Kathleen Ruddy
Chief Executive Officer
St. Baldrick’s Foundation

Email your members of Congress to act immediately and protect children with cancer from the sequester.


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