House of Representatives Passes $80 Million for Childhood Cancer Research, Championed by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation

LOS ANGELES (July 29, 2021) – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest non-government funder of childhood cancer research grants, is pleased that the House of Representatives has passed legislation to once again specially set aside $80 million for childhood cancer research initiatives. The funding bill passed by the House today included $30 million to fully fund the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill in history, for a fourth consecutive year, and $50 million to fund the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI) for a third year.

“On behalf of the donors and volunteers of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and the kids and families we serve, I thank members of the House of Representatives for prioritizing childhood cancer research funding,” said Kathleen Ruddy, CEO of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “Childhood cancer research uniquely depends on the federal government as its primary source of funding. Today’s development brings us one step closer to ensuring the STAR Act and CCDI have the resources needed to continue their important work for kids with cancer and childhood cancer survivors.”

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation continues to advocate at every step of the appropriations process to ensure this funding increase progresses. This spring, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation was invited to submit testimony to the House Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee to demonstrate the need for this funding increase. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation also works closely with allies in the childhood cancer community, including the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, to share the community’s collective support for these resources. The Alliance for Childhood Cancer is a coalition of patient advocacy groups, healthcare professional societies and scientific organizations. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation serves as a co-chair of the Alliance.

“The federal investment in childhood cancer research has nearly doubled in recent years thanks to greater advocacy and support for initiatives like the STAR Act and CCDI,” Ruddy said. “The St. Baldrick’s Foundation stands ready to work with childhood cancer champions across Capitol Hill to ensure full funding for the STAR Act and CCDI is finalized in the weeks ahead.”

About St. Baldrick’s Foundation
Every 2 minutes a child somewhere in the world is diagnosed with cancer. In the U.S., 1 in 5 will not survive. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest non-government funder of childhood cancer research grants, is on a mission to give kids a lifetime by supporting the most promising research to find cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers. When you give to St. Baldrick’s, you don’t just give to one hospital – you support virtually every institution with the expertise to treat kids with cancer across the U.S. St. Baldrick’s ensures that children fighting cancer now — and those diagnosed in the future — will have access to the most cutting-edge treatment, by supporting every stage of research, from new ideas in the lab to the development of new therapies, to lifesaving clinical trials. Join us at StBaldricks.org and help #GiveKidsaLifetime.

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