Action Days 2018: Families Speak Up For Kids With Cancer on Capitol Hill

More than 200 childhood cancer advocates, including St. Baldrick’s families and Honored Kids, joined the Alliance for Childhood Cancer’s 7th Annual Childhood Cancer Action Days on April 23-24.

This two-day event in Washington, D.C. brought advocates to Capitol Hill to share their stories and thank their representatives for:

• Passing the STAR Act unanimously in the Senate — the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill ever introduced to Congress
• Approving a $3 billion increase for medical research at the NIH
• Approving the RACE Act to encourage the development of new drugs to treat childhood cancer

And to ask Congress to:

• Pass the STAR Act in the House
• Sign the STAR Act Appropriations Letter to ask for full funding
• Continue funding for the NIH and childhood cancer research

Here is a little behind-the-scenes look at our day on the Hill…

St. Baldrick’s Ambassador Zach and his parents, Nancy and Thomas, spoke to their representatives about the STAR Act and what it would mean for kids like Zach.

Ambassador Kellan’s mom, Elizabeth, said, “Living with effects of childhood cancer will forever be a part of K’s world. We are here to fight for the STAR Act – Survivorship, Treatment, Access and Research!”

Kellan also brought along his younger brother and was teaching him the ropes about being a childhood cancer advocate.

Even at the young age of 11, Ambassador Julia, who is currently in maintenance with a brain tumor, was not afraid to ask her representatives to pass the STAR Act.

Tracey and Josh came to Capitol Hill to advocate for their son, Ambassador Brooks, who passed away in 2016 from a brain tumor.

Honored Kid Matthias was diagnosed with retinoblastoma when he was just 3 months old, which left him blind. Along with his mom, dad and older brother, Matthias told his representatives what it’s like to be a childhood cancer survivor and how important the STAR Act is.

Thank you to everyone who came to Action Days and all those who joined virtually. Together we continue to work to get the STAR Act passed in the House and signed into law.

With 371 House Members signed on to the STAR Act, we’re almost there! Please join our Speak Up advocacy network and learn how you can support get involved in advocacy for kids with cancer.

Join St. Baldrick’s Speak Up advocacy network and learn how you can be an advocate for kids’ cancer research.

• Pass the STAR Act Now, Because My Daughter Deserved Better
• 5 Ways to Speak Up For Kids’ Cancer Research From Home
• From the Boro to the Hill: St. Baldrick’s Shavees Advocate in D.C.