Childhood Cancer Advocates Take Capitol Hill

Childhood Cancer Action Days are June 15-16

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 11, 2015) –More than 300 cancer advocates from across the US- including more than 35 kids who are survivors- are hitting Capitol Hill on Monday and Tuesday to call on Congress to provide more funding for research and to pass the Childhood Cancer STAR ACT. June 15 and 16 marks the fourth annual Childhood Cancer Action Days coordinated by the Alliance for Childhood Cancer.

Worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes, and one in five children diagnosed in the U.S. will not survive. These advocates will ask Congress to continue supporting initiatives that can improve research, treatment and outcomes for children with cancer.

“Each of these advocates has been deeply affected by childhood cancer,” said Danielle Leach, co-chair of the Alliance and director of government relations and advocacy for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “These advocates are here to share a child’s story and to create change for kids with cancer”

The Alliance has worked with the larger childhood cancer community- including the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus Co-Chairs Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), as well as Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA)- to craft this new legislation: Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act, a bill that focuses on care for childhood cancer patients and accelerating research.

Advocates will also request increased funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and its investments in childhood cancer research, which is critical to identifying new treatments and completing ongoing clinical trials.

June 15 will feature a speech by Dr. Greg Aune, St. Baldrick’s researcher and childhood cancer survivor, a presentation on the STAR Act by Congressman Michael McCaul. On June 16, Senator Jack Reed will speak to advocates and all attendees will head to the Hill to get co-sponsors for this important new legislation.

Hundreds more advocates nationwide are expected to join the conversation online by calling on Congress to #StepUp for more funding.

About the Alliance
The Alliance for Childhood Cancer advocates to advance research and policies to improve the diagnosis, treatment, care, and survivorship of children and adolescents with cancer, as well as enhance public awareness. www.allianceforchildhoodcancer.org

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